Statement on the Earthquake and Tsunami Affecting Japan and Coastal Communities of the Pacific Region
11 March 2011
News reports of the devastating earthquake off the coast of Japan and the resulting tsunami affecting coastal communities in the Pacific region have shocked us all.
Even as we await with apprehension news of its full impact, we understand that it has and will claim many lives and render tremendous damage to many others, as well as property.
The members of Religions for Peace—the world’s largest multi-religious coalition solely dedicated to advancing principled cooperation for peace—offer our most heartfelt sympathy and loving solidarity to the people of Japan and the coastal communities in the Pacific region affected by this horrendous natural disaster. Japan is especially dear to us for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is a birthplace of Religions for Peace and the site of both our first and most recent World Assemblies.
To Prime Minister Naoto Kan and the peoples of his nation, we offer our sincere condolences.
To our dear colleagues, Rev. Nichiko Niwano, President of Rissho Kosei-kai, who has served for many years as an esteemed member of the Religions for Peace World Council and who is the Chairperson of the Japanese Committee of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (Religions for Peace Japan), and Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, Chairman of Myochikai, who serves as Secretary General of Religions for Peace Japan, we offer our profound solidarity and support.
Religions for Peace International is mobilizing an emergency appeal to our global network to provide immediate and long-term support to the cooperative efforts of religious communities in Japan for their response to the impacts of the earthquake and tsunami.
