Nichiren Shoshu Hokkeko members have published a series of lies about SGI President Daisaku Ikeda. They are rephrasings of the “Gekkan Pen” articles published in Japan twenty years ago.
What Is the “Gekkan Pen” Incident?
The original stories were written in Japanese by Mr. Taizo Kumabe, Chief of Editorial Division of a monthly tabloid called Gekkan Pen and published in the March, April, and June issues of Gekkan Pen in 1976. Since they are all lies, Soka Gakkai took legal action. The police investigation revealed that Kumabe wrote these fabricated stories without any confirmation of evidence, and he was arrested in May 21, 1976 and was indicted by the Tokyo District court on June 11, 1976.
Since there was no proof for any of these stories, Kumabe was found guilty on June 29, 1978. Kumabe appealed to Tokyo High court, but the High court rejected his appeal on December 12, 1979.
Kumabe himself wrote an apology to Soka Gakkai and to those who were involved and signed it on March 12, 1977 at the Tokyo District court in front of the Judge and attorneys of both sides.
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Kumabe’s Letter of Apology----------------To: Soka Gakkai
To: Mr. Daisaku Ikeda, Hiroshi Hojo, Ms. Yasu Kashiwabara, Ms. Tokiko Tada and Ms. Michiko Watanabe
In special serial articles on Soka Gakkai published in March, April and June issues of Gekkan Pen in 1976, there was a lack of confirmation of the evidence and misunderstanding in my part.
Our magazine publishes time to time righteous critical articles as a duty given to the mass-media and for the protection of public interest. However, these articles (on Soka Gakkai) crossed the line (as a fair journalistic article). For this, I express honestly the feeling of regret.
March 12, 1977
Taizo Kumabe
(signature)
Chief of the Editorial Division
Gekkan Pen
The Soka Gakkai side trusted this expression of regret, withdrew the indictment, and Kumabe received probation for one year.
Why Did These Stories Appear Again in the 1990’s?
Title: Soka Oukoku no YabouThese authors are well known anti-Gakkai tabloid writers who have made their living by publishing lies and fabrication in Tabloid magazines for the past 3 decades. Although the name of Masatomo Yamazaki does not appear here, the person who orchestrated all these anti-Gakkai articles is known to be none other than Yamazaki.
English Title: The Ambitions of the Kingdom of Soka
Author: Atsushi Mizokuchi
Published by: Kioi ShoboTitle: Ikeda Daisaku no Sugao
English Title: The Naked Face of Daisaku Ikeda
Author: Yukimasa Fujihara
Published by: KodanshaTitle: Ochita Shoumin no Kami
English Title: The Fallen God of the Masses
Author: Atsushi Mizokuchi
Published by: Sanichi ShoboTitle: Ikeda Daisaku Kenryokusha no Kouzou
English Title: The Anatomy of a Despot
Author: Atsushi Mizokuchi
Published by: Sanichi ShoboTitle: Sukyandaru Uotchingu
English Title: Scandal Watching
Author: Kunio Naito
Published by: Nisshin HodoTitle: Ikeda Daisaku Harenchi Gyojoki
English Title: Daisaku Ikeda A Record of Shameless Behavior
Compiled by: Ikeda Daisaku Kyudan no Kai (English: The Committee to Censure Daisaku Ikeda)
Originally published in Japanese by: Nisshin Hodo3-6-23 Shiba Koen Minato Ward, Tokyo
The Japanese majority party LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) is a conservative, right-wing oriented party and has been dominating Japan for the past five decades. Since the party does not like the situation where normal people become strong and unite against authority, it has been manipulating Japanese mass-media to attack Soka Gakkai which is the symbol of people’s power. Naturally, the scheme of “LDP — Anti Gakkai writers — Tabloids” was formed and Yamazaki, Naito, Mizoguchi, Fujiwara (and more recently Okkotsu) constantly attacked Soka Gakkai and received payment. All these books (which temple members have quoted) are the product of these anti-Gakkai campaign, and they are complete fabrications.
The purpose of these books is to create a negative image of President Ikeda and to create doubt and fear about Soka Gakkai. They were written as nasty as possible and as sensational as possible.
In the 1995-1996 political campaign, LDP printed several million anti-Gakkai pamphlets written by Naito and distributed them throughout Japan. Nikken Sect priests and Hokkeko members participated in this pamphlet distribution campaign. As a result, LDP won the election and paid $5 million to Yamazaki. Yamazaki put the whole amount in his pocket and did not even give a penny to Naito who actually wrote the pamphlet. Naito complained about this and sent out faxes of protest to all parties involved. Yamazaki and Naito are still arguing with each other.
In 1998, the situation drastically changed. Because of mismanagement by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Japan’s economy seriously suffered and the yen lost value. LDP lost support, and it had to ask for help from Soka Gakkai in order to survive. Prime Minister Hashimoto and Secretary General Kato both called Soka Gakkai and apologized for using these lies and fabricated stories published by anti-Gakkai writers. LDP even published an official apology in the party’s official publications.
All these anti-Gakkai articles which were published in Japan during
the past three decades were politically manipulated by this LDP scheme.
Of course, the Temple members know this, but they still post these fabricated
stories about Soka Gakkai and President Ikeda.