July 2009 to July 2010 - Religion and Politics in Contemporary Japan - page 198

We continue to support Komeito because we want Okinawa to improve.
Ikeda-sensei has said that because of its cruel history, Okinawa must
become a model for people to follow, a model for k - sen-rufu. In reality,
however, we have the base problem, income is low, murder and suicide
rates are high, there is this gap between ideals and reality. Yet, all people
here like Okinawa. There are also good points that we can t so easily see.

To talk to each person about Buddhism is k - sen-rufu, but an increase in
such conversations is not the only point about k - sen-rufu. For instance, a
society where there are no suicides, or where unemployment decreases is
also part of k - sen-rufu. However, to improve the social system is the role
of the government.

'

(interview with Kubota, 8 July 2010)

Soka Gakkai s political support highlights the tension inherent in

holding political o

'

ce
One evening in the weeks leading up to the Upper House election on 11 July,
and the election of the Komeito candidate representing Okinawa in the
Okinawa-Kyushu bloc looking exceedingly di

cult, I attended a meeting for
leaders in Soka Gakkai at one of the centres in Okinawa. Various speeches
followed about the di culty of this election before a DVD of the candidate

was shown. This was clearly an appeal to what faith means rather than policy.
Akino K - s - , the Komeito candidate, talking not as a politician but as a
member of Soka Gakkai, expressed his personal resolve to win. It moved
many Soka Gakkai members to tears as he showed how hard this battle
was for him, as well as how determined he was to overcome all di culties

and de fight that was expressed succinctly as a victory

that would be his personal way of responding to Ikeda-Sensei. This show of
resolve would for Soka Gakkai members (in Okinawa) have convinced
them that Akino was and would remain trustworthy, that he was a person
who would be working for the welfare of the people. This was an appeal to
what inspires active Soka Gakkai members. The struggle of an ordinary
person to reveal what is considered ultimate human qualities of sincerity and
resolve to work for others

nitely win. It was a

happiness, qualities that are seen as real when a
person overcomes personal di

'

culties and perseveres through extreme cir-
cumstances to win for a good cause that serves the welfare of ordinary people.
Here engaging in such social activism equalled the meaning of faith. This
rather emotional appeal intended for Soka Gakkai leaders was meant to show
them that Akino was a person worth their e

orts to get him elected. By
expressing his determination to respond to the standards and ideals embraced
by Ikeda he would be a person that would not grow arrogant once in
o

ce, but would continue to serve the people. Members who take Ikeda as
their mentor see him as someone who never grows arrogant despite his many
accomplishments because he has never stopped being a disciple himself of
Toda.