Third Tokyo Peace Roundtable Champions Forgiveness and Calls for Ceasefires

Tokyo, Japan 3, 2025  More than 30 religious leaders from major world faiths and diverse regions—including areas affected by active conflict—gathered in Tokyo for the Third Tokyo Peace Roundtable. Centered on the theme “Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables,” the event emphasized forgiveness, called for immediate ceasefires, and underscored the vital roles of youth and women in peacebuilding.

July 2, 2025. Tokyo Peace Roundtable’s participants meet with Japanese Parliamentarians

Organized by Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the interfaith gathering brought together Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Shinto leaders, both in person and virtually. Participants represented countries including India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Myanmar, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Türkiye, Ukraine, the UAE, and the United States.

Leaders expressed deep sorrow over the ongoing human suffering in conflict-affected regions such as Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Myanmar, Syria, and Sudan. They emphasized that interconnected crises—violence, displacement, climate emergencies, and attacks on civilians—require a united and inclusive global response.

The Roundtable facilitated meaningful dialogue, including between religious leaders from Ukraine and Russia, who jointly called for immediate and unconditional ceasefires in all active war zones in the world. Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Chairman of Religions for Peace Japan, noted that despite differences, participants shared a fundamental conviction: “Life must always be protected.”

Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, described peace as a “persistent choice,” renewed daily through dialogue, courage, and cooperation. He reaffirmed the commitment to forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation in a world urgently in need of moral leadership.

Although scheduled participants from Israel and Palestine were unable to attend due to recent escalations, organizers plan to convene them separately later this year to continue advancing reconciliation within the Tokyo Peace Process. Launched in 2022, the Process affirms the role of religious leaders as co-owners of peace and essential contributors through initiatives rooted in forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.

A key highlight was a special session held at the Japanese Parliament, where members of the National Diet engaged with religious leaders to explore how faith communities can contribute to global peacebuilding. The Hon. Katsuya Okada, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Co-President of the Religions for Peace Parliamentarian Support Group, emphasized the importance of collaboration between religious and political actors to swiftly end violence.

The Roundtable also announced the launch of a Multi-Religious Youth Peace Exchange, an initiative designed to empower youth from conflict zones to become future peacebuilders and strengthen intergenerational efforts for peace.

An outcome document, signed by all participating leaders, affirmed that “all life is sacred,” rejected violence, and called for a just peace grounded in compassion, mercy, and mutual respect. Leaders pledged to guide their communities through the sacred and challenging journey of reconciliation, recognizing that the true impact of the Roundtable will be measured by their actions upon returning home.