A CRITIQUE OF SOKA GAKKAI

By Hirtatsu Fujiwara, PHD
published 1970

SOKA GAKKAI TRIED TO BAN THIS BOOK

Preface

Early one morning at the beginning of October of 1969 while I was
still in bed, I was unexpectedly awakened by a telephone call. When
I answered the call, I realized I was speaking to a well-known
politician who holds a most important position in the party structure of the
Government Party of Japan. Though I exchanged views with him at
various times throught the mass media, I had never before talked with
him by telephone.
        When I inquired as to the reason for his call, he replied:
"My calling so early in the morning is due to the urgent request made to
me by Mr. Takeiri, Chairman of the Komeito, who has asked me to convey his
desire that you not publish your book, Soka Gakkai O Kiru, in a word, would you by some
means or other be willing to give up the writing of the book?"
        Before this, the publisher and I had recieved so many different calls
from Komeito members of the Tokyo metropolitan assembly and from members of
the Soka Gakkai, pressuring us to stop publication of the book, announcement
of the publication having leaked out.
"Change the title."
"Because the general election is nearing, postpone the date of publication."
"We will reimburse you for all the cost of publication"
"You may publish the book, but do not display it in the book stores- we
will buy up all copies."
        Everytime I have criticized them, I have been rebutted maliciously by
hoardes of Soka Gakkai members. In their publications and in their newspaper,
Seikyo Shimbun, I have often been denounced by name. Because of these
confrontations, it is an absolute fact that the relationship between me and Soka Gakkai-
Komeito is one of mutual and vehement criticism.
        At this stage unless, under pressure of the growing power of Soka
Gakkai- Komeito, some strong criticism and plain speech exposing the true menace of Soka
Gakkai- Komeito is forthcoming, I must say: "Democracy in Japan is in jeopardy."
        Democracy cannot exist where there is no freedom of speech, and freedom
of the press. Those people who are outraged by the [communist] situation in
Czechoslovakia, -  why do they not take action against the extremely contemptible pressures
against our freedom of speech which Soka Gakkai is exerting? I know of the change that has taken
place in many  speakers and commentators who, due to becoming intimate with Soka Gakkai and
Komeito have compromised their convictions. I am one who truly regrets such things, and
I must say also that at least a portion of the mass communication media has been corrupted by
commercialism and is afraid of Soka Gakkai- Komeito's reprisals and fanaticism and steer clear
of discussing anything of a critical nature, and cover up anything unfavorable to Soka Gakkai-
Komeito.
They have taken advantage of this reluctance on the part of the mass media to criticise and
have grown bolder, appealing to Machiavellian tactics to accomplish their purposes, trampling
underfoot the sacred principle of free speech. For this reason, I must conclude that Soka
Gakkai -Komeito are enemies of democracy, and enemies of freedom of speech.