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Participation in ICCGC-CoNGO 2025

From August 15 (Fri) to August 18 (Mon), 2025, the ICCGC-CoNGO 2025 (Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens - Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations) was held at Wonkwang University in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. Thanks to an invitation from Dr. Kathy Matsui, Visiting Professor at Seisen University, IAPG participated online from Japan in the session titled Cultural Exchange & Networking - Group B: Cinema Talks "Unification" (Collaborative Program) on August 16 (Sat), from 7:30pm - 9:00pm.

As part of this program, IAPG presented the short musical "UNIFICATION" as a catalyst for discussion to encourage reflection on peace and inspire concrete action. Following the screening, IAPG's representative, Kouken Yamato, delivered a speech.

(Full speech text below)
Good evening, everyone.
My name is Kouken Yamato. I am the Executive Producer and Representative of the INAMORI Art Project Group, the group that just performed the short musical "UNIFICATION."
Today, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for this opportunity to connect Japan and Korea, for being able to speak before all of you - the young people who will carry the future of the Earth - and to Professor Dr. Kathy Matsui for making this occasion possible.

The INAMORI Art Project Group was founded in 2010, inspired by the aspiration of a woman, Noriko Inamori, who had a progressive and incurable illness. This year marks the 15th anniversary of our activities.

Since our founding, we have carried out activities both in Japan and around the world, including in New York and Geneva, with the generous support of many people. Guided by the aspiration of our founder, Noriko Inamori, "to create a world filled with love and peace for the children of the future," we remain committed to this mission.

However, as you know, the war between Russia and Ukraine began three and half years ago, and even now more broadly, there is still no sign that the foolish conflicts and battles around the world are coming to an end. Worse yet, some nations are seeking to acquire nuclear weapons that could lead to the destruction of this Earth under the illusion or the fairy tale of "deterrence".

Over the past 15 years, we have continued our activities. And yet, we have not seen any clear sign that the violence and killing in our world are coming to an end. We are witnessing firsthand just how difficult it is to end war once it begins, hindered by foolish pride and stubborn power struggles.

Adults and those in positions of power often make these kinds of mistakes.
They claim to be "fighting for justice," yet they fail to realize such actions are never what God truly desires. Perhaps we human beings are still foolish creatures, unable to grasp even this truth.
That is why we, as adults, must take responsibility. We need to tell children and younger generations that once a war begins, it is incredibly difficult to stop, and that "we must never start it" and "we must never let it begin in the first place." With strong conviction, we must use every possible means to deliver this message.

How did our performance today make you feel?

In addition to this piece, we also offer films, plays, and manga.
Through these works, we convey four key messages and touch hearts.

First, the existence of "God" worshiped by the various global religions is, in truth, one and the same.
Most of us in this group do not belong to any specific religion. Yet precisely because of that, we can see that there is only one God in this universe - one who is the same for all believers, regardless of their faith tradition. Perhaps that's why we don't feel the need to belong to any particular religion.
And yet, all around the world, people who worship the very same God fall into the mistaken belief that "our God" and "your God" are different. In the worst cases, this misconception leads to conflict, even to killing one another. How strange and foolish is that?

Second, in that sense, we are living beings created by the one God, originating from that same divine source, and in the truest sense, we are "Children of God". We are kept alive within the "universe," which is the "body of God." And each of us is a "part of God's body." That is why there is not a single person who is "unnecessary" in the eyes of God. We are all irreplaceable "pieces" of a great puzzle - a puzzle that is God, that is the universe. That is why within each of us dwells the energy of "love", shared with us from God.
And that is why, from the moment we are born, we carry within us a "spirit of altruism" - 'a heartfelt desire to live for someone other than ourselves.' This spirit is not only for our family and friends, but also for people we have never met or even seen. This is because "God's love", "His heart" for all living beings in the universe has been breathed into each of us.
Then why do we act in ways that are the very opposite of this spirit, rejecting, hurting, or even killing “someone other than ourselves”? Such actions are the very opposite of God’s will, and they are “mistakes” and “distortions” born of human arrogance and misunderstanding, through the misuse of our own free will.

Third, although we have temporarily lost those memories now, each of us has lived another life, a previous life, and other lives in the past before being born as who we are today. This is called "past lives." Some religions may not have fully passed down this truth, but that is only because there wasn't enough time to convey everything. In fact, I believe the founders of every religion intended to share this truth. We call this "reincarnation." If, in the distant past, you had another irreplaceable family, children, or friends, and though you may have forgotten them now, what if those very people were standing before you today, as the subjects you are about to hurt, attack, or persecute? Human life, our soul is everlasting. After this life ends, when you remember everything in heaven, what will you say to them? How will you apologize? By then, it will be too late to say, "I didn't know" or "I had forgotten," because you once made a promise: "Even if I forget, my heart will surely teach me the truth."

Lastly, we believe that "religion" is synonymous with "science." Why is it that, across thousands of years and throughout various countries and eras, we find common truths in the teachings of Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Allah, Muhammad, Confucius, Amaterasu Ōmikami, the Sun Goddess in Shinto, and others? Of course, each has its own distinct characteristics and individuality. Yet why do most religions teach about the existence of "heaven" and "hell"? Why do they speak of the "divine nature" and the "conscience," a word that literally means "with science," which have been instilled in humanity? It is because "religion" is not merely an "idea," "way of thinking," "concept," or "philosophy," but instead reveals the "facts," "principles," and "laws" that exist in this universe. In other words, it is "natural science." In recent years, cutting-edge astrophysics has discovered the existence of "dark matter" and "dark energy." We believe that "dark energy" is the life energy of "God" itself, and that "dark matter" is "high dimensional matter" emanated from God.
The time has finally come when earthly science is beginning to catch up with religion. We believe "faith" is not about "whether to believe or not," but about "knowing and learning the facts and the truth".

If we truly understood this, then even if we had forgotten, would we ever do something so foolish and senseless as to hurt or kill one another, our own family and fellow crewmates aboard "Spaceship Earth"?
Yes, I think the learning of the human race on Earth is still at an elementary school level.
To all of you who will shape the future, I hope you will awaken to new values and truths and take a great leap forward.

I am now about to turn 67. Noriko Inamori returned to heaven twelve years ago.
I entrust the future of the Earth, our dreams, and our heartfelt wishes to all of you. Of course, we too will never give up until the very last moment of our lives.

"Change Makers."
Together, let us change the Earth.

Thank you very much for listening today.