Tokyo, Japan - On December 26, 2008, the UPF-Japan Board met in a hotel in Tokyo. Around 30 board members were present, including the chair, co-chair, executive members, and the chairs of the Ambassadors for Peace Professional Forums. The meeting was convened to sum up the activities of 2008 and consider the action plans for 2009.
First, Mr. Hideo Oyamada, Chair of UPF-Japan, gave an address thanking the board members for their devotion to UPF activities. After Rev. Eiji Tokuno, Co-chair of UPF-Japan, and Prof. Hiroo Suzuki, Chair of the Council for Ambassadors for Peace in Japan, gave their remarks, Mr. Seiichi Kikuya, Secretary General of UPF-Japan introduced the proposed bylaws of UPF-Japan. He then gave a report on the activities of 2008 and presented an action plan for 2009.
Among the activities of 2008, Mr. Kikuya reported that International Leadership Conferences have been held every month since last February, and Ambassadors for Peace Seminars have been hosted by the Council for Ambassadors for Peace in each region of Japan. He mentioned other activities that have been held at home and abroad.
As action plan for 2009, Mr. Kikuya introduced the plans to improve the organizational structure, enrich nationwide activities, strengthen publications and promotional activities, and hold an International Leadership Conference once every two months beginning in February.
The discussion that followed became an opportunity for productive give-and-take among all the board members.