Komeito , formerly New Komeito and abbreviated NKP, is a political party in Japan founded by members of the Buddhist movement Soka Gakkai in 1964. It is generally considered as centrist and conservative. Since 2012, it has served in government as the junior coalition partner of the nationalist and conservative governments lead by the Liberal Democratic Party.
Komeito activists canvassing in front of Himeji Castle
Image: Akihiro Ōta 20121227
Image: Natsuo Yamaguchi 20220518
Soka Gakkai is a Japanese Buddhist religious movement based on the teachings of the 13th-century Japanese priest Nichiren as taught by its first three presidents Tsunesaburō Makiguchi, Jōsei Toda, and Daisaku Ikeda. It is the largest of the Japanese new religions and claims the largest membership among Nichiren Buddhist groups. The organization bases its teachings on Nichiren's interpretation of the Lotus Sutra and places chanting Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō at the center of devotional practice. The organization promotes its goals as supporting "peace, culture, and education".
Tsunesaburō Makiguchi, first President of the Sōka Gakkai
Jōsei Toda, second President of the Sōka Gakkai
Daisaku Ikeda, third President of the Soka Gakkai, 2010
Daisaku Ikeda receiving "Leonardo Prize" in 2009 from Alexander Yakovlev