Interview with Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake
Reflecting on the Social Role of Religion
Toward Genuine Interreligious Dialogue
Chair of the Board of International Shinto Studies Association, Yoshinobu Miyake
What form does religion’s public role and social contribution take in modern society? Rev. Yoshinobu Miyake, Secretary-General of the International Religious Fellowship and Chair of the Board of International Shinto Studies Association, shared insights into activities based on religion.
Addressing Modern Social Challenges
—— The International Religious Fellowship (IRF) engages in various activities. Could you share the organization’s purpose and objectives?
The IRF was founded in February 1947, shortly after World War II. Among the founders were notable figures like Dr. Toraji Makino, then president of Doshisha University; Tenko Nishida, founder of Ittoen; Bishop Yoshiyuki Furuya of the Catholic Diocese of Kyoto; Yoshitada Takahara, chief priest of Yasaka Shrine; and my grandfather, Toshio Miyake, Chief Priest of the Konko Church of Izumi. Reflecting on the lessons of the previous war, the organization emphasized the necessity of building a new Japan. It aimed for genuine interreligious dialogue to avoid self-righteousness and valued exchange not only among domestic religious figures but also with the global community.
—— Can you elaborate on your activities?
When considering religion’s role in modern society, the focus shifts from doctrines to how religious organizations address contemporary social challenges. For instance, the IRF facilitates opportunities to learn from an international perspective about issues like AI (artificial intelligence), infectious disease countermeasures, organ transplants, and disaster response. We also send delegations to religious leader summits.
The Collection of the Remains of the War Dead and Memorial Services
—— Could you share your work on collecting remains of war dead and organizing memorial services?
We engage in activities such as collecting remains and holding memorial services on Saipan. Originally spearheaded by the NPO Kuuen Tai, the IRF collaborates by supporting these efforts. Participants include representatives from the American Veterans Association, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Mayor of Saipan, among others.
Even today, many remains lie buried on the island. Remarkably, the U.S. National Archives has records, complete with photographs, detailing where and how many bodies were buried. Kuuen Tai efficiently located numerous remains by examining over 100,000 pages of these documents.
Last year (2024), marking the 80th anniversary of the major battles in the Mariana Islands, we conducted a joint memorial service involving Catholic, Buddhist, and Shinto traditions on the anniversary of the “Banzai Charge.” The Catholic bishop of Saipan attended, who had recently been elevated to Archbishop of Guam and participated in this event as his first duty in the new role. The Archbishop’s call also brought many young church members to join the ceremony.
After the memorial service, remains were discovered in a newly found cave. Our chairman, Rev. Kazuyoshi Sato(Buddhist), recited the Amitabha Sutra to offer prayers for these remains. Three Japanese Members of Parliament also attended, commenting, “This has changed our perspective. It’s unacceptable that the Japanese government neglects these remains. We must bring this issue to the government’s attention.”
However, Japanese media rarely cover such religious activities, while local media show great interest. Saipan’s TV news featured the event, and I was interviewed as well.
Sometimes, the remains of American soldiers are found. When these are repatriated, the local mayor and police escort the remains from the airport, with residents lining the streets displaying U.S. flags. By contrast, in Japan, officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Social Welfare Bureau retrieve remains packed in cardboard boxes at Narita Airport’s baggage claim. There’s no sense of respect for those who gave their lives for the nation.
Stopping ongoing wars worldwide is, of course, essential. However, properly burying and holding memorial services for remains is also a vital role of religious figures. I hope more people will join these efforts, transcending religious differences.
Meeting Modern Expectations of Religious Figures
—— What do you think is expected of religious figures in modern society?
Frankly, I feel that expectations are low in Japan. For example, in the West, when a major issue divides public opinion, media seek insights from experts and religious leaders, such as a cardinal or an imam. In Japan, religious perspectives are rarely sought or published.
Last summer, an Italian magazine featured a special issue on “Religion and Artificial Intelligence,” consulting religious leaders and scholars worldwide, including a Catholic cardinal and the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League. I was the only Japanese contributor, offering comments on ethical challenges posed by AI. In Japan, such inquiries are rare, and even if they arise, few religious figures have the necessary knowledge to respond. That’s why we strive to equip ourselves to address these issues.
Religion as a Community Anchor
—— Temples and shrines have historically been vital community anchors alongside schools. How do you view this role today?
While that was true in the past, it’s less so today, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Family funerals have become mainstream, further diminishing religion’s communal presence.
From a public perspective, one significant role lies in disaster response. Imagine a magnitude 7 earthquake in Tokyo. Religious facilities could provide shelter for stranded individuals, while public spaces like schools and community centers would serve as evacuation centers for those who have lost their homes. Religious sites could also serve as repositories for large numbers of remains. This is a crucial aspect of religion’s public utility. Large urban temples and shrines have vast, tax-exempt grounds intended for such rare events. Private entities couldn’t justify unused land, but religious institutions maintain these spaces for public benefit. Many survivors of the Tokyo Air Raids and recent earthquakes, like the The Great Hanshin Earthquake or The Great East Japan Earthquake, found refuge in temples and shrines.
—— How about maintaining social order? Temples and shrines have historically fostered trust, norms, and connections.
Undoubtedly, they contribute. However, whether the government recognizes this is another matter. Traditionally, religious institutions cared for orphans and the elderly without family, but modern welfare systems now fulfill these roles. Resources are redistributed through taxes, perceived as “fair and equitable.”
Media also tend to misinterpret religious acts as proselytizing. Unlike Japan, most countries, whether developed or developing, respect religion. If Japan continues to marginalize religion, societal stagnation seems inevitable.
Yoshinobu Miyake
Born in Osaka in 1958. Chair of the Board of International Shinto Studies Association, Director of the UN Association of Japan Kansai Headquarters, and Chief Priest of the Konko Church of Kasugaoka. He holds a Master’s in Theology (Systematic Theology) from Doshisha University and was a research fellow at Harvard University’s Center for the Study of World Religions. He chaired the G20 Interfaith Forum 2019 (Kyoto) and serves as a director of the WCRP Japan Committee and the United Nations Association of Japan Kansai Capital. Publications include Kazamidori: Humanity’s Encounters with Infectious Diseases and The Islamic State and Japan: What is a Nation?
