Nov. 17, 1964
Founds Komeito Party

Soka Gakkai had fielded candidates in Japan's local and later national elections since 1955. In 1964, Ikeda took the further step of forming a political party. His decision was driven by a number of factors: a growing demographic of newly urbanized men and women, non-union labor and those working in smaller enterprises--constituencies that make up a significant majority of Japanese society to this day--were underrepresented, even overlooked, and deserved policy alternatives to those provided by larger, heavily-lobbied parties; Ikeda also felt that the Komeito--which means "clean government party"--must take the initiative in combating the corruption and collusive practices endemic to Japanese politics.

Historical motives played prominently as well. For centuries, Japan's ruling powers, including the militarist regime of World War II, consistently exploited the psychological and institutional influence of religion for political ends. Soka Gakkai founder Tsunesaburo Makiguchi publicly condemned such religious statism and died in prison after he and his successor, Josei Toda, were arrested for opposing the regime's wartime policies. Thus the third of Komeito's mandates has been to maintain vigil over Japanese political trends to ensure the protection of religious freedom for all.

The Komeito party (renamed New Komeito in 1995) possesses one of the most consistent and successful track records of policy achievement in Japan, developing and implementing policies and initiatives to enhance social services, protect the environment and promote education and peace. In 1999, New Komeito became a junior partner in Japan's coalition government.

Ikeda has made it clear that the Soka Gakkai's engagement in political activities would be limited exclusively to Japan.

[See also "Founding the Komei Party" in PROFILE]

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