Our History
Religions for Peace Japan held the first World Assembly held in Kyoto in October 1970, where over 300 religious leaders convened to promote interfaith encounter and initiate religious cooperation for peace. This landmark event established the Kyoto Declaration as a guiding foundation, leading to the formation of the international WCRP organization.
Timeline
- October 1970
- The First World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP I) is held in Kyoto, Japan.
- November 1972
- Religions for Peace Japan is officially established with the support of the Japanese Association of Religious Organizations, serving as the national committee representing Japan within the global Religions for Peace movement.
- May 1973
- WCRP is granted Category II NGO consultative status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- August 1974
- The Second World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP II) is held in Leuven, Belgium.
- June 1978
- At the First United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (SSDI), Nikkyo Niwano, Honorary President of Religions for Peace International, delivers a keynote address.
- August 1979
- The Third World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP III) is held in Princeton, USA.
- June, 1982
- At the Second United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (SSDII), Homer Jack, Secretary-General of WCRP International, addresses the assembly.
- April 1984
- Religions for Peace Japan obtains legal foundation status as a public interest incorporated foundation.
- August 1984
- The Fourth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP IV) is held in Nairobi, Kenya.
- June 1988
- At the Third United Nations Special Session on Disarmament (SSDIII), John Taylor, Secretary-General of Religions for Peace International, delivers a speech advocating for peace and disarmament.
- January 1989
- The Fifth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP V) is held in Melbourne, Australia.
- November 1994
- The Sixth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP VI) is held in Rome and Riva del Garda, Italy.
- July 1995
- Religions for Peace is elevated to Category I NGO consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- December 1996
- Religions for Peace Japan receives official recognition as an NGO advisory body from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
- November 1999
- The Seventh World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP VII) is held in Amman, Jordan.
- August 2006
- The Eighth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP VIII) is held in Kyoto, Japan.
- July 2008
- The World Religious Leaders Summit for Peace — Toward the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit is convened.
- October 2008
- The Seventh Governance Assembly of Religion for Peace Asian (ACRP VII) is held in Manila, Philippines.
- September 2010
- 40th Anniversary Commemorative Ceremony of Religions for Peace Japan is held in Nara, Kyoto, and Tokyo.
Launch of the “ARMS DOWN!” Campaign. - April 2012
- Transition to a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.
- November 2013
- The Ninth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP IX) is held in Vienna, Austria.
- August 2014
- The Eighth Governance Assembly of Religion for Peace Asian (ACRP VIII) is held in Incheon, South Korea.
- August 2019
- The Tenth World Assembly of Religions for Peace (WCRP X) is held in Lindau, Germany.
- October 2021
- The Ninth Governance Assembly of Religion for Peace Asian (ACRP IX) is held in Tokyo [hybrid].
- November 2021
- 50th Anniversary Commemorative Event of Religions for Peace Japan is held in Kyoto.
- September 2022
- The First Tokyo Peace Roundtable is held in Tokyo.
- February 2024
- The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable is held in Tokyo.
- July 2024
- The international conference “Ethics of AI for Peace: A Global Interfaith Commitment to the Rome Call” is held in Hiroshima.
- July 2025
- The Third Tokyo Peace Roundtable is held in Tokyo.