本会の考え

A Message Regarding the Escalation of the Military Conflict in the Middle East

We hereby express our deep concern and sense of alarm over the current state of affairs in the Middle East, where tensions have been rapidly rising since the use of military force on February 28 by the United States, Israel, and Iran. We are gravely concerned that the present situation is triggering an increase in military deterrence in these and other countries, which in turn may lead the entire world to expand stockpiles of weapons, including nuclear weapons. As people of religion, we cannot ignore this crisis that threatens the sanctity of life.

In particular, we are profoundly saddened by reports that civilians and children have had their daily lives destroyed, and even lost their lives, as a result of the ongoing military conflict. We offer our heartfelt condolences to all those affected and sincerely hope that those people who have experienced loss or injury will be able to return to peaceful lives as soon as possible.

In 1978, when the Founder of Rissho Kosei-kai, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, addressed the First Special Session on Disarmament of the United Nations General Assembly, he reported on the World Conference of Religions for Peace (known today as Religions for Peace, or RfP) and its activities to abolish nuclear weapons and achieve disarmament through interreligious dialogue and cooperation. In that address, he called for an end to the balance of fear caused by an endless arms race. In 1979, the American Embassy hostage crisis occurred and several months later, Founder Niwano himself traveled to Iran to attend the International Conference on US Interventions in Iran, where he handed a personal letter to the Iranian foreign minister calling for the American hostages to be released as soon as possible.

We at Rissho Kosei-kai are carrying forward the will and vision of Founder Niwano—who believed in and took action to realize the possibility of peace—by registering our firm opposition to the current trend, seen in several parts of the world, to change the status quo through brute force. What we need now is not confrontation through force, but dialogue that builds trust and mutual understanding. The use of military force only creates a cycle of hatred and retaliation and therefore does not lead to a real, lasting solution. From our position of protecting the sanctity of all life, we oppose seeking solutions through force, and strongly call for a peaceful resolution, through dialogue, to the current crisis. We urge the leaders of all countries involved in all the ongoing conflicts to immediately cease hostilities, end the cycle of violence and hatred, and through dialogue, find a peaceful solution that restores order and trust.

Rissho Kosei-kai
March 12, 2026

We support the Statement on the Conflict in the Middle East issued by the Secretary General of RfP International as well as the Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Middle East issued by RfP Japan. We are incessantly praying that the cycle of violence will come to an end as soon as possible and that peace will be restored to people’s minds and lives.

Religions for Peace International
Secretary General’s Statement on the Conflict in the Middle East

Religions for Peace Japan
Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Middle East