RUSSIA and CENTRAL ASIA

"I believe in peace, culture, and education—the underlying basis of which is humanism." With this belief, the founder has held many dialogues for peace with people in Russia and Central Asia. He paid his first visit to the Soviet Union during the cold war, where he had a dialogue with Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin. This triggered thaw in the hard ice of mutual distrust between China and the Soviet Union. He has visited Russia five times since that occasion. He had his first dialogue with President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990, and since then they have had fond dialogues ten times. "Through your personal journeys for peace, you demonstrated that dialogue for peace and citizen's diplomacy are possible even behind the Iron Curtain," said Mr. Gorbachev. Their open-minded dialogues hewed broad paths to peace.

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From a conferment speech
Anatoly A. Logunov (Director of the Institute for High Energy Physics, Russia)

Director Logunov spoke about the founder being an old friend of his country. He said that a quarter of a century ago, when relations between Russia and Japan were still tense, the founder, alongside other pioneers, exerted the initiative to demolish the wall separating the two countries and establish popular diplomacy between them.  (April 2, 1998: Ceremony of conferment of Honorary Doctorate from the Institute for High Energy Physics, Russia)

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From an acknowledgement speech

"No matter what differences in social system existed or how frigid and hostile relations between two countries were, it would definitely be possible in the future to open a path of friendship between them. If we could meet in person, open our hearts, and talk frankly with each other, we should be able to get to know and understand each other. It is with this conviction that I took initiative after initiative to forge ties of friendship with the Soviet Union and also China. Dialogue is a force that moves history. I am proud to have worked to create just such an era." (January 10, 2004: Conferment ceremony for the title of Honorary Professor from Arctic State Institute of Culture and Art, Russia)


1994　Delivering a commemorative lecture at Moscow State University

Upon a request from the Moscow State University, the Founder delivered a commemorative lecture titled The Human Being: A Magnificent Cosmos. Representatives of the Russian Rectors’ Union and other members attended the lecture. It was the second time the founder delivered a lecture at the Moscow State University following the one in May 1975, when he spoke as an Honorary Doctor of the university. (May 17, 1994、Lomonosov Moscow State University Palace of Culture, Moscow, Russia)

 

1975　Honorary Doctorate conferred by Moscow State University

An Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by Moscow State University, the highest institution of learning in the world. This was the first honorary academic title awarded to the Founder. After the conferral ceremony, he delivered a commemorative lecture titled A New Path to East-West Cultural Exchange. (May 27, 1975, The Chancellor’s Office of Moscow State University, Moscow, USSR)

Exhibits

Magazine “Shufu no tomo” (November 1974 issue)

Magazine “Fujin kurabu” (November 1974 issue)

Magazine “Gekkan gendai” (November 1974 issue)

 

Magazines the Founder wrote for after his trip to the Soviet Union and “Watashino Soviet kiko (My journey to the USSR)”

After he returned from his first visit to the USSR (September 8 – 18, 1974), the Founder wrote his impression on the country in a series of essays and contributed them to various magazines and newspapers. These essays were later compiled and published as “Watashino Soviet kiko (My journey to the USSR)” (Ushio Publishing, 1975).

 

Agreement on Academic Exchange with Moscow State University

“Agreement on Academic Exchange between Soka University and Lomonosov Moscow State University” signed in 1975 (one copy each in Russian and Japanese)

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The founder frankly asked Russian Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin, 'Is the Soviet Union considering attacking China?" The prime minister immediately replied "No, the Soviet Union has no intention of attacking China." Three months later, the founder reported the prime minister's answer to Chinese officials. The conflict between the two nations gradually began to soften.

 

1974　Paying his first visit to the Soviet Union at the invitation of Moscow State University

The Founder paid his first visit to the Soviet Union at the invitation of Moscow State University. Rector Rem Khokhlov guided the Founder on a tour through the splendid campus of the university. (September 9, 1974, Moscow State University campus, Moscow, USSR)

 

1974　Dialogue with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin

The Founder met with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin. When the Premier asked, “What is your fundamental ideology?” the Founder immediately answered, “Pacifism, culturalism, and educationalism, all of which are founded based on humanism.” Premier Kosygin resonated and stated, “I highly respect those principles. We should also realize this philosophy in the Soviet Union as well.”
(September 17, 1974, Kremlin, Moscow, USSR)

 

1975　Holding a book fair at Moscow State University

A public book fair was held to exhibit the 3,000 books that the Founder presented Moscow State University as a gift in September 1974. Around 300 students from the university gathered for the opening ceremony to welcome the Founder, who together cut the ribbon with Rector Rem Khokhlov and Vice Rector Vladimir Tropin. (May 27, 1975, Old building of the Gorky Scientific Library of the Moscow State University, Moscow, USSR)

 

1974　Meeting with Mikhail A. Sholokhov

The Founder had a dialogue with the Nobel Prize winner for literature, Mikhail A. Sholokhov. The Nobel laureate welcomed the Founder to his home and enjoyed a lively conversation on such themes as human destiny and self-transformation. (September 16, 1974, Mr. Sholokhov’s home, Moscow, USSR)

 

1975　A reunion with Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin

The Founder met Premier Alexei Kosygin following their meeting in the previous year. The Premier greeted the Founder with a smile, saying that he had made time despite his busy schedule. After the first meeting, the Premier is known to have asked his close aide, Ivan Ivanovich Kovalenko, Deputy Chief of the International Department Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, “Where did you find such a brilliant Japanese man?”
(May 28, 1975, Kremlin, Moscow, USSR)

 

1981　Visiting the house of Tolstoy

The Founder visited Lev Tolstoy’s house and the Tolstoy Museum. Viewing the belongings of the literary giant by whose works he was fascinated as a young man, he thought about the life of the giant who fought against power and was supported by the common people.
(May 15, 1981, Lev Tolstoy’s house and the Tolstoy Estate Museum, Moscow, USSR)

 

1987　Dialogue with Ms. Valentina Tereshkova

At the invitation of VOKS (All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries), the Founder visited the Soviet Union again after six years. He enjoyed a reunion with Ms. Valentina Tereshkova, Chairman of VOKS, who is known as the world’s first female astronaut.
(May 26, 1987, VOKS building, Moscow, USSR)

 

1990　The founder's first dialogue with President Mikhail Gorbachev

The Founder paid a courtesy visit to President Mikhail Gorbachev. When the Founder suggested, “Let’s have an honest conversation, for the sake of mankind, for Japan and the Soviet Union!” President Gorbachev replied “Yes, I like to have honest dialogues, too.” His words, “I’d like to visit Japan next spring” came true the following year. Later, the President recalled “I was able to visit Japan for the first time, thanks to President Ikeda.” (July 27, 1990, press conference room in the Presidium building of the Supreme Soviet, Moscow, USSR)

 

1990　Dialogue with Ms. Natalya Sats

The Founder enjoyed a reunion with Ms. Natalya Sats, Director of the Moscow State Academic Children's Music Theater. When singers of the theater gave a heartfelt performance in front of the Founder and Ms. Sats, warm smiles and applaud of friendship spread among everyone present.
(July 29, 1990, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, Moscow, USSR)

 

1987　Dialogue with Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov

The Founder had a dialogue with Prime Minister Nikolai Ryzhkov. The Founder noted that the exhibition “Nuclear Arms: Threat to Our World” ended in a big success and the two discussed such themes as nuclear disarmament and peace, Japan-Soviet relations, and expectations for the youth who will bear the next generation.
(May 26, 1987, Kremlin, Moscow, USSR)

 

1990　Visiting the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

Guided by Vice Rector Vladimir Tropin of Moscow State University and others, the Founder toured around the museum and looked back on the life of Pushkin, the great poet of the people. (July 29, 1990, Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, USSR)

 

1990　Having heartfelt exchange with Chingiz Aitmatov and his family

The Founder and his wife had a reunion with the internationally renowned author and advisor of the Soviet President, Chingiz Aitmatov and his family. Mr. and Mrs. Ikeda enjoyed a pleasant talk with the family who was shortly to return to their home country. Mr. Aitmatov and the Founder promised each other to publish their dialogue to shed light on the value of humans, which was later published under the title Ode to the Grand Spirit: A Dialogue.
(August 21, 1990, Seikyo Shimbun, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

 

1993　Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife paying their first visit to Soka University

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and his wife paid their first visit to Soka University. Warmly welcomed by the Founder with nearly 7,000 students, faculty, and staff members, the former President was awarded an honorary doctorate from Soka University, and Mrs. Raisa Gorbachev was recognized with Soka Women’s College Award of Highest Honor. Cherry blossom trees for Mr. and Mrs. Gorbachev were planted on the campus to commemorate their visit.
(April 24, 1993, Soka University, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

1998　The "Lotus Sutra and Its World-Buddhist Manuscripts of the Great Silk Road" exhibition

“The Lotus Sutra and Its World-Buddhist Manuscripts of the Great Silk Road” exhibition opened, presenting valuable Buddhist literature from the Silk Road. A selection of 47 items written in 14 languages were publicly exhibited for the first time in the world, from among the collection of manuscripts and block prints housed by the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a world-class academic institution. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, a Special Merit Award was presented to the Founder as a consensus of the 32 research institutions comprising St. Petersburg Scientific Center.
(November 8, 1998, Soka Gakkai Josei Toda International Center, Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Exhibits

Magazine “Kon-nichi no sorenpo” Vol. 24 No. 15
“Kon-nichi no sorenpo”August 1, 1981 　Shinjidaisha

A PR magazine issued by the Public Relations Division of the Embassy of the Soviet Union in Japan. Based on the articles provided by Novosti News Agency, it conveys information on the culture, arts, science and technology, and current news of the Soviet Union. This issue featured the Founder’s third visit (May 9 – 16, 1981) to the Soviet Union in an eight-page article, titled “Honorary President of Soka Gakkai, Ikeda’s Delegation Visit to USSR.” The article includes photos of the Founder and Soka University Ginrei Choir members who accompanied him on the trip as well as comments from the Founder.

 

Medals from Moscow State University (Russia)

 

Medal from Baikal of National University of Economics and Law (Russia)

A 75th anniversary commemorative medal presented by Mikhail Vinokurov President of the Baikal State University of Economics and Law (Russia) to Soka University. The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Professor by the university. March 13, 2007

 

Published dialogues with intellects of Russia and Central Asia in various languages
Dialogues between the Founder and 6 intellects of Russia and Central Asia published in various languages.

The intellects (honorific titles omitted) Anatoly A. Logunov, Chingiz Aitmatov, Mikhail Gorbachev, Albert A. Likhanov, Victor A. Sadovnichy, Alexander Serebrov

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President Gorbachev stated that it is widely known in Russia that the founder has promoted the embryonic movements of the philosophy that will lead the 21st century. He continued by saying that it is also known that he has made an enormous contribution in spreading deep, humanity-wide values—facts for which he is held in deep respect.

(April 24, 1993: From President Gorbachev's commemorative lecture at Soka University)

 

1994　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the International University in Moscow

The Founder became the first person in the Orient to be conferred the title of Honorary Doctorate by the International University in Moscow, a private university in Russia. The title was awarded in recognition of his many years of significant contribution to education, peace, the environment, and friendship between Japan and Russia. Not only did Rector Gavriil Popov, President Gennady Yagodin, students, faculty and staff members of the university attend the conferral ceremony, but many guests from various fields including Rector Victor A. Sadovnichy of the Moscow State University and novelist Chingiz Aitmatov gathered to congratulate the Founder.
(May 19, 1994, auditorium of International University in Moscow, Moscow, Russia)

 

1996　Honorary Doctorate of International Education conferred by the Far Eastern State University

Honorary Doctorate of International Education was conferred on the Founder by the Far Eastern State University in Russia. Rector Vladimir Krylov of the university commended the Founder for achieving “the great mission of connecting the world through education” and for devoting his life to “building peace through dialogue.”
(November 2, 1996, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2001　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by Ahmet Yesevi Kazakh-Turkish International University

The Founder was conferred the first Honorary Professor presented to a Japanese by Ahmet Yesevi Kazakh-Turkish International University of Kazakhstan, a large country in Central Asia. Mr. Mukhtar Shakhanov, the country’s ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and a nationally acclaimed poet and author attended the conferral ceremony and commended the Founder, citing a phrase from a poem, “There are mountains that rise higher than the clouds. There are men who soar higher than the mountains” and added, “Mr. Ikeda is one of such magnificent men.”
(December 20, 2001, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)
 

2000　Honorary Doctorate conferred by St. Petersburg State University

The Founder was conferred the first Honorary Doctorate awarded to a Japanese by St. Petersburg State University, the oldest and highest institution of learning in Russia. Rector Ludmila A. Verbitskaya of the university commended the Founder’s humanistic actions and long-standing contribution to education and academic studies. (January 6, 2000, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2002　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by the National Institute of Art and Design

In recognition of the Founder’s “great contributions to the advancement of learning, cultural progress, and perpetual peace of mankind,” the title of Honorary Professor was conferred on him by the Uzbekistan National Institute of Art and Design named after Kamoliddin Behzod.
(February 20, 2002, Soka University Central Tower, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

1999　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by the Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures

The Founder was conferred the first title of Honorary Professor awarded to a Japanese by the Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures of Kyrgyzstan. Rector Amangeldy Bekbalaev of the university praised the founder as “a great humanist.”
(August 24, 1999, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2002　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by Moscow State University

The title of Honorary Professor was conferred on the Founder by Moscow State University. This was the second title awarded to him from the university following his first honorary doctorate conferred in 1975. Rector Victor A. Sadovnichy gave the utmost praise to the Founder for his outstanding contributions to international education, academic studies, and cultural exchange. He added, “it is of no doubt that this conferral will be remembered as a remarkable event in the history of Moscow State University.” (June 8, 2002, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2004　Conferral of the title of Honorary Professor by Buryat State University

The Founder became the first foreigner to be conferred the title of Honorary Professor by Buryat State University of the Republic of Buryatia, one of the highest institutions of learning in Siberia. Rector Stepan V. Kalmykov stated, “Education is to nurture a rich spirit and bringing out the full potential in people. We would like to spread the Soka Education philosophy in our Republic too.
(April 1, 2004, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2004　Those who came to celebrate included the great-great-grandson of Lev Tolstoy, Vladimir Tolstoy

The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Professor by Tula State L. N. Tolstoy Pedagogical University named after the Russian literary giant, Lev Tolstoy. Vladimir Tolstoy, the great-great-grandson of Lev Tolstoy also came to the conferral ceremony to congratulate the Founder and stated, “I am convinced that the pursuit for pure humanism and true world peace (shared by Tolstoy and the Founder) is what unites and saves mankind.” (April 2, 2008, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2010　Honorary Doctorate conferred by the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts

Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts, a center for nurturing artists of the Republic of Armenia. Rector Aram Isabekyan of the academy commended the Founder’s “multifaceted activities are evidence that he is a passionate warrior in pursuit of high ideals.”
(April 2, 2010, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)
 

2008　Honorary Doctorate conferred by I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University

The title of Honorary Doctorate was conferred on the Founder by I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University, one of the most prestigious universities in Central Asia. Rector Askarbek Bekboev of the university said, “Listen to Dr. Ikeda’s words, … dialogue is the force for peace building.”
(March 21, 2008, Soka University Ikeda Auditorium, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

2004　Conferral of his 150th academic honor by Arctic State Institute of Culture and Art

The Founder was conferred the title of Honorary Professor by the Arctic State Institute of Culture and Art of the Republic of Sakha, which was his 150th academic honorary title. The highest honor was conferred on him from an institution known for its high cultural and artistic values on the occasion of the 30th anniversary since his first visit to the Soviet Union.
(January 10, 2004, Tokyo Makiguchi Memorial Hall, Hachioji, Tokyo)

 

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