Ryuho Okawa | Today's AI Wiki

1. Early Life and Background

Ryuho Okawa's early life was marked by a blend of strict discipline, intellectual curiosity, and an early exposure to spiritual concepts, all of which influenced his later path as a religious leader.

Ryuho Okawa was born Takashi Nakagawa on July 7, 1956, in Kawashima (now part of Yoshinogawa), Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. He was the second son of Tadayoshi Nakagawa (who later adopted the pen name 善川三朗_{Saburō Yoshikawa}^Japanese) and Kimiko Nakagawa. His older brother is Tsutomu Nakagawa, who later became known as Makoto Tomiyama. Okawa described his family as religious, with both parents believing in God and the Buddha. From childhood, Okawa believed in the existence of spirits and souls and an afterlife, although he was not actively involved in religious practices. He and his brother were raised in an ordinary, neither rich nor poor, but strict home environment.

1.2. Education

Okawa's academic journey began in Tokushima, where he graduated from Kawashima Elementary School and Kawashima Junior High School. He expressed a childhood ambition to become a scholar or a diplomat, driven by a desire to spread his ideas in academia or broaden his worldview through experiencing diverse cultures. This ambition motivated him to study late into the night, excelling in his classes, particularly in English. Despite being obese, weighing 132 lb ^{(60 kg)} at 56 in ^{(143 cm)} tall, he was an active student in secondary school, engaging in fishing, tennis, and kendo, and serving as student union president and school newspaper editor.

In 1975, he initially failed the entrance exam for Tokyo University but was accepted into its Liberal Arts Division in 1976 after a year of studying at a preparatory school in Kyoto. During his first year, he struggled socially and felt uncomfortable among peers uninterested in spirituality. In his second year, which he termed the "first stage in the 'awakening of wisdom'," he adopted a rigorous daily schedule inspired by Immanuel Kant, dedicating time to walks, poetry, self-reflection, and extensive reading of philosophy, including works by Plato and Kitaro Nishida. In April 1978, he majored in politics within the Faculty of Law. After his third year, he took a one-year break, during which he failed both the judicial exam and the higher-level civil service exam. In his final year, his interests shifted from philosophy to metaphysics, leading him to read works by Shinji Takahashi of GLA and Masaharu Taniguchi of Seicho-no-Ie. Unable to pursue graduate studies due to his grades, he accepted a job offer from TOMEN Corporation (now Toyota Tsusho), a major Japanese trading company, graduating in spring 1981.

1.3. Influence of Saburo Yoshikawa

Saburo Yoshikawa, Okawa's father, is regarded as one of the most significant influences on his early life. Despite Okawa stating he had no formal spiritual master, Yoshikawa's impact was profound. Yoshikawa had a diverse background, editing journals for the Japanese Communist Party and later working as an agricultural advisor for local government. He possessed a deep interest in spirituality and religion, having studied in a Christian church as a teenager and later embracing Seicho-no-Ie after World War II. He eventually became a follower of Shinji Takahashi, the leader of the religious organization GLA. Yoshikawa later served as an official advisor to Happy Science in its nascent years, a role he held until his passing in 2003, with a memorial shrine for him opening in January 2003.

Yoshikawa was highly demanding regarding Okawa's success. He would deliver hour-long lectures to Okawa and his older brother, Tsutomu, after dinner at home. These lectures covered a wide range of topics, from religious texts like the Bible and The Gateless Barrier to secular philosophies such as Kantianism and Marxism, starting from Okawa's elementary school years. Although Okawa initially struggled academically in school, his father's rigorous intellectual demands fostered his development.

2. Career and Activities

Ryuho Okawa's career trajectory began in the corporate world, rapidly transitioning into the founding and extensive development of a global religious movement and a foray into politics.

2.1. Early Career and Spiritual Awakening

After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1981, Okawa joined TOMEN Corporation, a major Japanese trading company, where he was assigned to the foreign exchange department at its Tokyo headquarters. Despite his conventional business career, Okawa claims to have experienced significant spiritual events during this period.

On March 23, 1981, before officially starting his job, Okawa reported his "Buddha Enlightenment," which he described as his first direct contact with a high divine spirit. This spirit was believed to be that of Nikkō Shōnin, a disciple of Nichiren. Okawa recounted a sudden sensation of a presence attempting to communicate, leading him to grab a pencil and a card, on which his hand moved independently to write "良い知らせ、良い知らせ" ({{lang|ja|良い知らせ、良い知らせ|Yoi shirase, Yoi shirase|good news, good news}}). The spirit identified itself as Nikkō. A week later, the spirit of Nichiren began daily communication with Okawa, continuing from March to July 1981 while he was working at TOMEN. When Okawa inquired about his life's mission, the spirit responded with the message: "Love others, nurture others, and forgive others," which later became a cornerstone of Okawa's teachings on love.

In June 1981, the spirit of religious leader Shinji Takahashi reportedly told Okawa that his destiny was to found a new religion. His father, Saburo Yoshikawa, upon hearing this, became one of his earliest followers. The following month, other spiritual entities, including Kūkai, Shinran, Confucius, Jesus Christ, Moses, and Nostradamus, reportedly communicated through Okawa. Yoshikawa and Tsutomu Nakagawa (Okawa's older brother, who used the pen name Makoto Tomiyama) taped these communications, initially concealing their identities. These tapes, consisting of interviews between Yoshikawa and the spirits through Okawa as a medium, were transcribed and adapted into publishable formats by Yoshikawa. This assistance was crucial, enabling Okawa to continue his corporate job while his spiritual work progressed, potentially influencing the timing and very existence of Happy Science. The spiritual messages were initially sent to Chōbunsha, a publisher specializing in spiritual works.

In August 1982, Okawa was dispatched to TOMEN's U.S. headquarters in the World Trade Center in New York City for training. He attended English courses at Berlitz Language School and studied international finance at the City University of New York (though some sources mention New York University). He withdrew from university after an intensified inferiority complex arose from encountering a Taiwanese classmate fluent in English. Around this time, he experienced what he called the "second stage in the 'awakening of wisdom'." His complex dissipated as he reflected on the knowledge gained from over 3,000 books he had read. He returned to Tokyo in 1983, working on bank negotiations, and was transferred to Nagoya in March 1984. By summer 1985, he had read over 4,000 books, experiencing a surge of ideas and a shift from inferiority to a sense of superiority.

Okawa gained a reputation at work, with rumors spreading that he claimed to see spirits possessing people and offered exorcisms. In June 1986, high spirits reportedly advised him to retire from his corporate career and dedicate his life to religion. On July 15, 1986, he resigned from TOMEN Corporation, and on October 6 of the same year, he officially founded Happy Science, adopting the name "Ryuho Okawa."

2.2. Founding and Development of Happy Science

Happy Science rapidly evolved from a small study group into a prominent religious organization under Okawa's leadership, marked by significant doctrinal shifts and a corporate-like structure.

2.2.1. Early Teachings and Publications

On October 6, 1986, Okawa established the first Happy Science office in Suginami, Tokyo, with four staff members. Initially named {{lang|ja|人生の大学院幸福の科学|Jinsei no Daigaku-in: Kofuku-no-Kagaku|Happy Science, The Postgraduate School of Human Life}}, the name "幸福の科学" (Happy Science) was inspired by Nichiren's spirit, as detailed in Okawa's 1985 book Nichiren no reigen. The organization initially presented itself as a "study group on human happiness," attracting readers and sympathizers of Okawa's spiritual works, who were primarily his friends and acquaintances. However, it may have always intended to become a recognized religious body.

On November 23, 1986, Okawa delivered his first sermon to approximately 80 followers in Tokyo, an event now celebrated as {{lang|ja|初転法輪|Shoten-bōrin|The First Turn of the Wheel of the Dharma}}, a pivotal date in Happy Science's history, symbolizing the introduction of Okawa's teachings to the world. In March 1987, Okawa delivered his first major public lecture, "The Principles of Happiness," to an audience of about 400 people. In this lecture, he implied his status as a prophet, stating that unlike spiritual mediums, prophets can hear and disseminate the word of God.

In June 1987, a new series of books, known as the "{{lang|ja|法|hō|law}}" series, was launched. The initial three books - The Laws of the Sun (太陽の法_{Taiyō no hō}^Japanese), The Golden Laws (黄金の法_{Ōgon no hō}^Japanese), and The Laws of Eternity (永遠の法_{Eien no hō}^Japanese) - published between June and October, became the fundamental doctrinal texts of Happy Science, collectively referred to as the "{{lang|ja|救世の三部作|Kyūsei no Sambu-saku|The Trilogy of Salvation}}." The Laws of the Sun was particularly significant as Okawa's first work presenting his own views and teachings, serving as the core doctrine and starting point of the movement. It also included an account of his early life. These books were initially presented as the final revelations of the Buddha. Okawa's early publications consisted mainly of spiritual messages transcribed from his communications with various spirits, aimed at proving the existence of the Spirit World. His first thirteen books (1985-1987) were composed of these messages, with the first eight (1985-1986) published under Yoshikawa's pen name to protect Okawa's employment. His 1991 books, The Great Warning of Allah (アラーの大警_{Arā no dai-keikoku}^Japanese) and The Terrifying Revelations of Nostradamus (ノストラダムス戦慄の啓示_{Nosutoradamusu senritsu no keiji}^Japanese), became best-sellers in Japan that year. After 1991, most spiritual message books were discontinued, except for those from the Buddha. When Happy Science was officially founded, these spiritual messages were replaced by newer, revised editions published under Okawa's own name, presented as collected and revised religious treatises rather than direct interviews with spirits. Notably, Okawa advised against translating or disseminating these spiritual messages to foreigners, stating it should wait "until the time is ripe" to avoid "heightening fear." Critics, however, suggested this policy might have been aimed at concealing potential plagiarism within the messages.

2.2.2. Doctrinal Evolution and Claims of Divinity

A significant doctrinal shift occurred at the end of 1989 with the publication of The Rebirth of the Buddha (仏陀再誕_{Budda saitan}^Japanese). In this work, Okawa officially claimed to be an incarnation of Gautama Buddha, leading to a reinterpretation of Happy Science's doctrine as fundamentally Buddhist by his followers. As Happy Science gained members, Okawa's lecture audiences expanded significantly, from 400 in 1987 to 10,000 by 1990. In December 1989, the headquarters relocated to a costly business building in Kioichō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with a monthly rent of 25.00 M JPY.

On March 7, 1991, Happy Science gained legal status as a religious juridical person (宗教法人_{shūkyō-hōjin}^Japanese) under the Religious Corporations Law by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. This simplified its name to 幸福の科学_{Kōfuku-no-Kagaku}^Japanese. This legal recognition facilitated the organization's growth, enabling it to attract more members from the general Japanese public. That year, Happy Science initiated large-scale events, including Okawa's Birthday Festival (御生誕祭_Goseitan-sai^Japanese) on July 15, 1991, shortly after his 35th birthday. At this event, held at the Tokyo Dome before an audience of 50,000 people and mass media, Okawa declared he had at least 1.5 million followers and revealed his true identity as "El Cantare," the Grand Spirit of the Terrestrial Spirit Group, also known as the "Buddha of Mahayana." El Cantare was revealed to have undergone several reincarnations prior to Buddha and Okawa.

In May 1994, another doctrinal shift took place. Previous publications were revised to align with the evolving concept of El Cantare. This included an updated "new" (新_shin^Japanese) series of the Trilogy of Salvation, where the subtitles of each book were revised to explicitly reference El Cantare's name instead of the shaka (Buddha). The revised Laws of the Sun provided a different account of Okawa's early life and included a list of El Cantare's previous incarnations.

2.2.3. Organizational Structure and Leadership

Since its inception, Happy Science has adopted an organizational structure resembling a secular corporation, evident in its positional titles. Okawa's initial title was {{lang|ja|主宰|Shusai|Coordinator or Chairman}}, with followers referring to him as {{lang|ja|主宰先生|Shusai Sensei|Master Coordinator}}. In January 1997, with the launch of the "New Hope Project," his title changed to {{lang|ja|総裁|Sōsai|President}}, and members now refer to him as {{lang|ja|総裁先生|Sōsai Sensei|Master President}}. The organization is managed by a Board of Directors and includes various Heads of Divisions. Branch offices (支部_shibu^Japanese) operate both within and outside Japan, each overseen by a branch manager (支部長_shibu-chō^Japanese).

This corporate-like structure extends to the physical appearance of Happy Science offices. Visitors often note the difficulty in distinguishing them from conventional business corporations, with staff members in business suits, engaging in paperwork, and utilizing standard office equipment such as telephones, fax machines, filing cabinets, photocopiers, and computers. The primary distinction noted is the presence of the 御本尊_gohonzon^Japanese, the religious icon of worship, within each division's office. Although the employees are {{lang|ja|出家者|shukke-sha|renouncers who have left their secular lives}}, they spend a considerable amount of their time engaged in office work.

Okawa's leadership style is often analyzed through the lens of sociologist Max Weber's theory of charismatic authority. His authority derived from the belief in his supernatural traits, as he identified as both the Buddha and El Cantare. Under his charismatic influence, Happy Science underwent rapid changes in its projects, doctrine, and staff assignments. This dynamic environment, characterized by frequent changes in roles and policies, is seen by some scholars as a deliberate strategy to protect a charismatic leader from vulnerabilities such as disbelief in their supernatural claims, routinization of the organization, or the emergence of dissenting leaders, thus helping to maintain their power.

2.3. Publications

Ryuho Okawa was an extraordinarily prolific writer. By the early 1990s, he was publishing approximately 20 to 30 books annually. By 2004, he was reported to have published over 300 books, a number that grew to over 500 by 2009 (English source) and surpassed 3,000 by May 2022, reaching 3,100 by December 2022 (Japanese source). Many of these publications are transcripts of his video-recorded lectures. Happy Science claims that by 1997, over 50 million copies of his titles had been sold worldwide. His main work, The Laws of the Sun, alone sold ten million copies by January 2000 and over 30 million copies worldwide. In 2011, he was recognized by Guinness World Records for the "most books published by an individual in a year" for releasing 52 books between November 2009 and November 2010; he continued to break his own record, publishing 163 books in 2014.

Many of Okawa's books became best-sellers in Japan. These include The Great Warning of Allah and The Terrifying Revelations of Nostradamus (both 1991), The Laws of Prosperity and The Syndrome of the Unhappy (both 1999), and The Laws of Miracles and The Origin of Love (both 2001). The Laws of Triumph (2002) also became a top-ten best-seller. The film adaptation of The Laws of the Sun in 2000 further boosted the book's sales.

Okawa's publications are characterized by their accessibility, using modern language, avoiding complex kanji, and sometimes incorporating English loanwords, which contributed to their popular appeal. His vast literary output serves various purposes within Happy Science, with all publications ultimately aiming to facilitate the learning of Happy Science's fundamental scripture, ''The Dharma of the Right Mind'' (正心法語_{Shōshin Hōgo}^Japanese)''. His works fall into three categories: books containing spiritual messages from his communications with various spirits; transcriptions of his lectures and seminar talks; and his own original writings. His first wife, Kyoko Okawa, also contributed by publishing books primarily for a female audience, and some high-ranking disciples have authored titles. Happy Science or its Public Relations Department also release books, magazines, comics, and textbooks.

The "Law Series" (法シリーズ_{Hō shirīzu}^Japanese) comprises a core set of philosophical and spiritual texts, serving as fundamental doctrinal texts for Happy Science. These include:

The Laws of the Sun (太陽の法_{Taiyō no hō}^Japanese)
The Golden Laws (黄金の法_{Ōgon no hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Eternity (永遠の法_{Eien no hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Prosperity (繁栄の法_{Han-ei no hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Miracles (奇跡の法_{Kiseki no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Triumph (常勝の法_{Jōshō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Enlightenment (大悟の法_{Taigo no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Happiness (幸福の法_{Kōfuku no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Success (成功の法_{Seikō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Mystical Laws (神秘の法_{Shinpi no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Hope (希望の法_{Kibō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Rebirth (復活の法_{Fukkatsu no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Life (生命の法_{Inochi no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Courage (勇気の法_{Yūki no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Creation (創造の法_{Sōzō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Salvation (救世の法_{Kyūsei no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Education (教育の法_{Kyōiku no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Immortality (不滅の法_{Fumetsu no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of the Future (未来の法_{Mirai no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Perseverance (忍耐の法_{Nintai no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Wisdom (智慧の法_{Chie no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Justice (正義の法_{Seigi no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Evangelism (伝道の法_{Dendō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Faith (信仰の法_{Shinkō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Bronze (青銅の法_{Seidō no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Steel (鋼鉄の法_{Kōtetsu no Hō}^Japanese)
The Secret Laws (秘密の法_{Himitsu no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of the Messiah (メシアの法_{Meshia no Hō}^Japanese)
The Laws of Hell (地獄の法_{Jigoku no Hō}^Japanese)

Okawa also authored numerous other books covering various topics, including:

Buddhist Books: The Way to Enlightenment, Challenge to Enlightenment (Volumes 1 & 2), Silent Buddha, Challenge of the Mind, Rebirth of Buddha, Eternal Buddha, Happy Science Nation-Building Theory, Eternal Challenge, Guidelines for a New Japan, Secret to Life Success, Love, Enlightenment, and Earth, Buddha's True Intention.
Happy Science Teachings: What is Happy Science?, New Exploration of the Mind, Guide to Happiness, Discovery of Life, Discovery of Destiny, Discovery of Truth, Outline of Truth Study, Principle of Happiness, Principle of Enlightenment, Principle of Utopia, Discovery of Enlightenment, Faith and Love, What is the Ultimate Enlightenment?, Live in the Light, Speak the Royal Road of Life, Frankly Speaking, Age of Religious Choice, Age of Faith Confession, Immovable Mind, Origin of Love, Origin of Happiness, Devotion to Life: The Trajectory of Ryuho Okawa's Mission, Awakening to Truth: Introduction to Happy Science, Devotion to Life 2009: The Trajectory of Ryuho Okawa's Mission - Challenge to Courage, Ryuho Okawa: Trajectory of Pilgrimage to India and Nepal, Ryuho Okawa: Trajectory of Pilgrimage to Brazil, Devotion to Life 2010: The Trajectory of Ryuho Okawa's Mission - Creation of a New Era, Ryuho Okawa: Trajectory of Pilgrimage to the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Business and Management: Laws of Prosperity, Dynamite Thinking, Speak the Royal Road of Life, Conditions for an Ideal Japan, Ever-Victorious Thinking, Gift to Youth, Work and Love, Revolution of Happiness, Influence, Winning Strategies for Leaders, Introduction to Management, Recommendation for Intellectual Youth, Introduction to CEO Studies, Management for Future Creation, Work Methods to Overcome Recession, Conditions for a Surviving Employee, Management Strategy for an Age of Patience.
Family, Marriage, and Education: What is Happiness? (Volumes 1-8), How to Catch Happiness, The "Unhappy" Syndrome, Hints for Happiness, Be Infinitely Kind, What is Important for Children, Conditions for a Joyful Mom: 8 Ways of Thinking to Raise Children Well.
Coffee Break Series: Coffee Break, Tea Time, I'm Fine, How About You?.
Health: The True Relationship Between Mind and Body, Super Absolute Health Method, Miraculous Cancer Overcoming Method, Ageless Success Method: 9 Secrets to Lifelong Active Living.
Spiritual World / Spirituality: Essence of Meditation, Flow of Spiritual Civilization, Challenge of Religion, Love is Like the Wind (Volumes 1-4, full edition), Love, Infinite, Utopia Creation Theory, World of Eternal Life, Recommendation of Faith, Spirit World Stroll, True Story of the Spirit World, How to Live Without Trouble After Death, Equation of Hell, Are "Alien Abductions" and "Sleep Paralysis" Truly the Same?, Outline of Mysticism, Mystical Phenomena Readings, Strange Phenomena Readings.
Politics and Opinion: There is No Night Without a Morning, Japan's Prosperity Will Never Waver, Happiness Realization Party Declaration, National Spirit, About the Ideal of Politics, Courage in Politics, New Draft Constitution of Japan, Towards a Country with Dreams: Happiness Restoration, Japan in Crisis, Spirit of Religious Nation Building, Ryuho Okawa Political Proposals Collection, National Strategy for the Future, Protect This Nation, Path to Disaster Recovery: Future Vision for Japan's Revival, Decision for Peace: No Prosperity Without Defense, Hope in Adversity: From Soul Salvation to Japan's Recovery, Public Dialogue: Japan's Future is Here - Happiness Realization Party Sticking to the Righteous Path.
Public Spiritual Message Series: Since January 2010, Okawa began releasing a new "Public Spiritual Message" series. Unlike previous text-only collections, these messages were recorded on video during sessions conducted before numerous staff members and followers, then released publicly the following day before being compiled into books. The number of books in this series surpassed 500 in 2018 and over 600 by 2023.
Novels: Novel Earth Kaleidoscope (2021), Novel Woman of the Cross 1: Mystery Edition (2022), Novel Woman of the Cross 2: Resurrection Edition (2022), Novel Woman of the Cross 3: Cosmic Edition (2022). The "Woman of the Cross" trilogy has been translated into English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, German, French, and Thai. Other novels include: Novel Era of Bamboo Shoots (2022), Novel Era of Young Bamboo (2022), Novel Eternal Kyoto (2022), Novel Path to the Inner Self (2022), Novel Distant Stranger (2022), Novel Fluctuation (2022), Novel Must Punish Them (2022), Novel Hell Monk (2023).
English and English Conversation Texts: Okawa authored numerous English and English conversation textbooks, including Introduction to Elementary English Mission, Introduction to Intermediate English Mission, Introduction to Advanced English Mission, and Introduction to Super Advanced English Mission, totaling approximately 500 titles.
Foreign Language Translated Books: As of late 2022, Okawa's works have been translated into over 41 languages, with a total of over 850 titles published worldwide. These include:
- English**: 188 books, plus 61 internal books/booklets across various regional versions (UK, USA, India, Australia).
- Portuguese**: 50 books, plus 4 internal books/booklets (Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique).
- Spanish**: 11 books, plus 32 internal books/booklets (Mexico, Colombia, Latin American countries, Spain).
- German**: 37 books, plus 7 internal books/booklets.
- French**: 31 books, plus 12 internal books/booklets.
- Chinese (Traditional)**: 81 books (Taiwan version), 27 books (Hong Kong version).
- Chinese (Simplified)**: 20 books.
- Korean**: 46 books.
- Hindi**: 17 books.
- Thai**: 47 books, plus 2 internal books/booklets.
- Bengali**: 5 books, plus 2 internal books/booklets.
- Tamil**: 6 books, plus 1 internal book/booklet.
- Telugu**: 3 books, plus 1 internal book/booklet.
- Kannada**: 3 books, plus 1 internal book/booklet.
- Malayalam**: 2 books.
- Gujarati**: 7 books.
- Marathi**: 6 books, plus 1 internal book/booklet.
- Sinhala**: 15 books, plus 2 internal books/booklets.
- Mongolian**: 24 books.
- Nepalese**: 9 books, plus 3 internal books/booklets.
Other languages include Dutch, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Swedish, Italian, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, Russian, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Oriya, Hebrew, and Luo.

2.4. Political Activities

Ryuho Okawa delivering a policy speech during the 2009 Japanese general election.

Ryuho Okawa made a significant move into politics with the founding of the Happiness Realization Party (HRP), the political arm of Happy Science. In a September 2008 lecture at Happy Science's New York branch, Okawa spoke about the organization's significant political soft power in Japan, claiming to be an influential "kingmaker" who could influence prime ministerial appointments and resignations. He asserted that Japanese religion, specifically Happy Science, held more power than politics.

In April 2009, Okawa announced the founding of the HRP, presenting its Declaration (幸福実現党宣言_{Kōfuku Jitsugentō sengen}^Japanese). The party was formally established on May 23, 2009, with Jikidō Aeba as its initial leader, in anticipation of the 2009 Japanese general election. The HRP is characterized as religious, conservative, and populist, though it avoids direct references to Happy Science's religious tenets in its public platform.

Okawa's wife, Kyoko Okawa, briefly served as party leader from June 4, 2009. On July 22, Okawa himself was appointed president of the party. In the 2009 general election, the HRP fielded 337 candidates across 288 of Japan's 300 constituencies, a number rivaled only by the major political parties of the time. However, the party failed to win any seats, reportedly securing just over one million votes, or 1.4% of the total, despite Happy Science claiming approximately ten million members. This discrepancy suggests that many Happy Science members have only a loose connection to the political party. The HRP also unsuccessfully participated in the 2009 Sendai mayoral election. Kyoko Okawa stepped down as party leader on July 29 and resigned from the party on August 15, 2009. Okawa resigned as president on September 12, followed by a turnover of top party officials.

In May 2010, the HRP gained its first seat in the House of Councillors when Yasuhiro Oe defected from the Democratic Party of Japan and joined the HRP. Okawa was appointed honorary president of the party on April 21, 2010. However, HRP candidates did not win any seats in the House of Councillors election held in July 2010, and Oe subsequently left the HRP in December of the same year. Okawa was reappointed as president of the party on December 27, 2012. Despite limited national success, the HRP has seen some victories in local elections, with 49 local assembly members elected and a total of 92 successful candidacies in local elections as of April 2023.

2.5. Other Ventures

Beyond religion and politics, Okawa expanded Happy Science's influence into education and media production, particularly films and music.

In 2009, Okawa established the Happy Science Academy (学校法人幸福の科学学園_{Gakkō Hōjin Kōfuku-no-Kagaku Gakuen}^Japanese). This led to the founding of Happy Science Academy Junior and Senior High School in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, in April 2010, followed by Happy Science Academy Kansai Junior and Senior High School in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, in 2013. In 2011, plans were initiated to establish the Happy Science University. However, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology denied university accreditation in 2014. Despite this setback, the facility opened as a private school under the name Happy Science University (ハッピー・サイエンス・ユニバーシティ^Japanese).

Okawa was also involved in music production, starting in 1988 with the recreation of the ancient Greek song "{{lang|ja|聖霊の歌|Seirei no Uta|Song of the Holy Spirit}}" through his spiritual abilities. He went on to produce over 450 songs, many of which served as theme or insert songs for films. For instance, the theme song for the 2008 film The Rebirth of Buddha, titled Challenge to Enlightenment, reached number 4 on the Oricon daily charts and number 15 on the weekly charts. In 2015, the song LOST LOVE-I Can't See Love Anymore-, featured in the film The Laws of the Universe, was reportedly produced based on a spiritual message from John Lennon.

Okawa served as executive producer for numerous films, mostly adapted from his teachings, through Happy Science Pictures and New Star Production. These films include:

The Terrifying Revelations of Nostradamus (ノストラダムス戦慄の啓示_{Nosutoradamusu Senritsu no Keiji}^Japanese) (1994)
Hermes - Winds of Love (ヘルメス－愛は風の如く_{Herumesu－Ai wa Kaze no Gotoku}^Japanese) (1997)
The Laws of the Sun (太陽の法エル・カンターレへの道_{Taiyō no Hō El Cantare e no Michi}^Japanese) (2000)
The Golden Laws (黄金の法エル・カンターレの歴史観_{Ōgon no Hō El Cantare no Rekishikan}^Japanese) (2003)
The Laws of Eternity (永遠の法 The Laws of Eternity_{Eien no Hō The Laws of Eternity}^Japanese) (2006)
The Rebirth of Buddha (仏陀再誕 The REBIRTH of BUDDHA_{Budda Saitan The REBIRTH of BUDDHA}^Japanese) (2009)
The Final Judgement (2012)
The Mystical Laws (神秘の法 The Mystical Laws_{Shinpi no Hō The Mystical Laws}^Japanese) (2012)
The UFO Academy (UFO学園の秘密_{UFO Gakuen no Himitsu}^Japanese) (2015)
I'm Fine My Angel (天使に"アイム・ファイン"_{Tenshi ni "Aimu Fain"}^Japanese) (2016)
The Glimpse of the Sacred (君のまなざし_{Kimi no Manazashi}^Japanese) (2017)
To Be With You (心に寄り添う。_{Kokoro ni Yorisou.}^Japanese) (2018)
Farewell Youth, Yet Youth Is Green (さらば青春、されど青春。_{Saraba Seishun, Saredo Seishun.}^Japanese) (2018)
The Laws of the Universe - Part 0 (宇宙の法-黎明編-_{Uchū no Hō - Reimei-hen -}^Japanese) (2018)
My Girlfriend Is a Wizard (僕の彼女は魔法使い_{Boku no Kanojo wa Mahōtsukai}^Japanese) (2019)
The Real Exorcist (心霊喫茶「エクストラ」の秘密-The Real Exorcist-_{Shinrei Kissa "Extra" no Himitsu - The Real Exorcist -}^Japanese) (2020)
The Final Judgement (2020)
Miracle with You (奇跡との出会い。-心に寄り添う。3-_{Kiseki to no Deai. - Kokoro ni Yorisou. 3 -}^Japanese) (2020)
Believe in the Dawn (夜明けを信じて。_{Yoake o Shinjite.}^Japanese) (2020)
The Beautiful Temptation - Modern Art of Fiction - (美しき誘惑-現代の「画皮」-_{Utsukushiki Yūwaku - Gendai no "Gahi" -}^Japanese) (2021)
Dream Interpretation, and Scary Experiences (夢判断、そして恐怖体験へ_{Yume Handan, Soshite Kyōfu Taiken e}^Japanese) (2021)
The Laws of the Cosmos - The Age of Elohim (宇宙の法-エローヒム編-_{Uchū no Hō - Elohim-hen -}^Japanese) (2021)
The Lady of Patriotism - Crimson Samurai (愛国女子-紅武士道_{Aikoku Joshi - Kurenai Bushidō}^Japanese) (2022)
The Psychic Detective (呪い返し師-塩子誕生_{Noroi-gaeshi-shi - Shioko Tanjō}^Japanese) (2022)
Let It Be - What Is Scary Is Still Scary (レット・イット・ビー ~怖いものは、やはり怖い~_{Retto Itto Bī ~Kowai Mono wa, Yahari Kowai~}^Japanese) (2023)

3. Thought and Philosophy

Ryuho Okawa's spiritual and philosophical system is centered on unique concepts and a grand worldview, aiming for human happiness and societal progress through the understanding of divine principles.

3.1. The Concept of El Cantare

Central to Happy Science doctrine is the figure of El Cantare, whom Ryuho Okawa claimed to be. Okawa identified El Cantare as the Grand Spirit of the Terrestrial Spirit Group and the primary object of worship within Happy Science. The name "El Cantare" is translated to mean "beautiful land of light, Earth." Within the religion, El Cantare is also referred to as the "Eternal Buddha" and is closely associated with the Creator God, known as the "Primordial Buddha," with many members believing Okawa to be an incarnation of this Creator.

According to Happy Science teachings, El Cantare has undergone numerous past incarnations throughout history to guide humanity. These include La Mu, a king on the ancient continent of Mu; Thoth, a king on the continent of Atlantis; Rient Arl Croud, a king in the Inca Empire of ancient South America; Ophealis in archaic Greece; Hermes in ancient Greece; and Gautama Buddha in India. Okawa claimed that this lineage was revealed to him by the consciousness of Gautama Buddha, which solidified his mission to spread truth on Earth. Happy Science doctrine posits that a person has six souls, each alternately reincarnating through time, with shared experiences among them. This belief explains how past incarnations like Hermes and Gautama Buddha, considered previous forms of Okawa's soul, can communicate with him, each possessing distinct personalities.

Okawa believed El Cantare chose to be incarnated in Japan because the nation represents a harmonious merging of Eastern and Western civilizations, making it an ideal location for a utopian movement intended to usher in a new era in the 21st century. El Cantare is believed to fulfill two primary roles: that of a Savior, akin to Amitābha Buddha, and that of Mahavairocana, representing the essence of enlightenment. The presence of El Cantare in the world is deemed necessary due to a global crisis caused by pervasive "dark thoughts" that manifest as disasters, wars, and conflicts. Happy Science doctrine suggests that like attracts like, meaning cultivating "Light of Buddha" attracts more light, while dark thoughts attract more darkness. With dark thoughts currently outweighing the Light, a Utopia is needed to reverse this situation, to be realized by El Cantare and his followers.

Sociologist Max Weber's typology of prophets includes the exemplary type, who leads through virtuous living, and the emissary type, who declares divine demands. Fukui (2004) suggests that Okawa embodies both roles: he acts as an exemplary prophet as the Buddha, guiding people towards enlightenment through a correct way of living, and as an emissary prophet as El Cantare, offering "hopes of salvation" to the world.

3.2. Key Teachings

The fundamental principles of Okawa's teachings are encapsulated in the "four principles" or "modern four noble truths": love, wisdom, reflection, and development. These principles are intended to be applied to human happiness and societal progress. The primary purpose of Okawa's vast literary output, according to Happy Science, is to facilitate the understanding and practice of its core scripture, The Dharma of the Right Mind (正心法語_{Shōshin Hōgo}^Japanese).

4. Personal Life

Ryuho Okawa's personal life involved two marriages and a complex family dynamic, particularly highlighted by public disputes with his eldest son.

4.1. Marriage and Family

On April 10, 1988, Ryuho Okawa married Kyoko Kimura (born August 22, 1965), who subsequently became known as Kyoko Okawa. A graduate of the University of Tokyo with a degree in English literature, Kyoko played an active role as a spiritual leader alongside Okawa starting in 1988. Okawa stated that his marriage to Kyoko provided a stable foundation, enabling him to concentrate more on his spiritual mission, and that it was instrumental in Happy Science's development. Kyoko was appointed Presidential Assistant of Happy Science in 1988 and became the head of the organization's women's group, the "Society of Aphrodite" (アフロディーテ会_{Afurodiite-kai}^Japanese), and one of its subdivisions, "The Society of Florence" (フローレンスの会_{Furōrensu-no-Kai}^Japanese). These names reflect the belief within Happy Science that Kyoko was a past incarnation of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and Florence Nightingale. Okawa also believed that he and Kyoko had shared past lives, including in Atlantis, the Inca Empires, and ancient Greece, where Kyoko as Aphrodite was purportedly saved from captivity by Hermes (an incarnation of Okawa), leading to their marriage and a son named Eros, contrary to traditional mythology. She also published books for Happy Science, primarily targeting female readers, and contributed essays to the monthly journal Happy Science Monthly. She served as a joint president of the Happiness Realization Party alongside Okawa and later became the party leader.

Ryuho and Kyoko Okawa had five children:

Hiroshi Okawa** (宏洋_Hiroshi^Japanese, born February 24, 1989), their eldest son. After dropping out of Waseda University Senior High School and graduating from Aoyama Gakuin Senior High School and Aoyama Gakuin University's Faculty of Law, he worked for Happy Science. He left for three years to work at a construction company before returning in December 2015 to become president of Happy Science's entertainment agency, involved in film production and music as an actor and singer. He was initially considered Okawa's successor.
Sayaka Okawa** (咲也加_Sayaka^Japanese, born February 16, 1991), their eldest daughter. A graduate of Toshimagaoka Joshi Gakuen Junior and Senior High School and Ochanomizu University's Faculty of Letters and Education, she is reportedly managing director and general manager of Happy Science. On September 1, 2015, she married Naoki Okawa (born Naoki Ishihara), a member of Happy Science's board, who is a Doshisha University graduate. Sayaka is now considered the heir to the organization's leadership.
Masaki Okawa** (真輝_Masaki^Japanese, born May 12, 1993), their second son. A graduate of Kaisei Junior and Senior High School and Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences, he has worked for Happy Science since university, serving as managing director and secretary general of science. On July 7, 2016, he married Mizuho Okawa (born Mizuho Sato), an Otaru University of Commerce graduate, who serves as the chief of the president's office at Happy Science.
Yuta Okawa** (裕太_Yūta^Japanese, born September 21, 1995), their third son. A graduate of Azabu Junior and Senior High School and the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law, he holds positions as a director, general manager of the governor's office, and staff officer for the headquarters' government affairs promotion at Happy Science, and has also published books for the organization.
Arisa Okawa** (愛理沙_Arisa^Japanese, born September 26, 1997), their second daughter. She is a graduate of Happy Science Academy Junior and Senior High School and Happy Science University.

In December 2012, Okawa married Shio Kondo (born September 22, 1985), who became Shio Okawa. A graduate of Waseda University's Faculty of Law and a former employee of the Bank of Japan, she joined Happy Science in 2009. Members of Happy Science believe her to be the incarnation of the goddess Gaia, and she is also known as the reincarnation of Sakamoto Ryōma. She serves as the President's Assistant.

Okawa also had an aunt named Shizuko Nakagawa (1919-1994), a novelist. In 2012, Okawa delivered a Happy Science sermon where Shizuko's spirit reportedly spoke through him.

4.2. Family Dynamics and Disputes

The Okawa family faced significant internal conflict and public scrutiny. In February 2011, reports emerged that Ryuho and Kyoko Okawa were preparing for divorce. Happy Science subsequently announced Kyoko's permanent expulsion from the organization, citing alleged severe personal and administrative damage to the organization, libel in various newspapers, and defaming the name of Lord El Cantare. According to Japanese sources, the marital discord stemmed from a fundamental disagreement in 2004 when Ryuho Okawa suffered a heart attack; Kyoko, raised in a doctor's family, prioritized medical diagnosis, while Okawa asserted his recovery and healing through his own spiritual powers, leading to a profound rift.

The most public family dispute involved Ryuho Okawa and his eldest son, Hiroshi. Despite being groomed as a potential successor to lead Happy Science, Hiroshi declared his break from the organization on his personal YouTube channel on October 1, 2018. In a February 2019 interview, he explained his departure was due to pressure from his father in January 2017 to marry actress Fumika Shimizu, who had joined Happy Science the previous month. Hiroshi claimed that when he refused the marriage in November 2018, his father became furious, leading to his departure. Happy Science denied this accusation, stating that Hiroshi himself had expressed interest in marrying Fumika Shimizu. Hiroshi has since publicly renounced his father, stating, "I believe what my father does is complete nonsense." He also revealed that although he was taught from a young age that his father was a god, he never personally viewed Okawa as divine and never wished to pursue religious work.

In contrast, other children have remained within Happy Science. Sayaka Okawa has been positioned as the heir to the organization's leadership, succeeding Hiroshi. Masaki Okawa works as managing director and secretary general of science for Happy Science. Yuta Okawa serves as a director and in other key administrative roles.

Okawa was known for his hobby of collecting watches, with a rumored collection worth tens of millions to billions of Japanese Yen, earning him a reputation as one of Japan's foremost watch collectors. His son Hiroshi described hundreds of high-end watches hanging on walls in his father's room, kept running by winding machines.

5. Controversies and Criticisms

Ryuho Okawa and Happy Science have been the subject of numerous controversies and criticisms, primarily concerning accusations of being a cult, historical revisionism, and a notable rivalry with another Japanese new religious movement.

5.1. Cult Accusations

Happy Science has been widely criticized and labeled as a cult by various media outlets, former members, and researchers. Reasons cited for these accusations often include the worship of Ryuho Okawa himself, his extraordinary claims of divinity (being the reincarnation of El Cantare, Buddha, Hermes, etc.), and the organization's centralized leadership structure, which is often characterized by a charismatic authority that appears to deter dissent and facilitate rapid doctrinal and organizational changes. Critics point to the demanding nature of membership and the significant financial contributions expected from followers as additional concerns.

5.2. Historical Revisionism and Discrimination

Okawa faced criticism for his views on Japanese history, which are often aligned with historical revisionism in Japan. He was accused of holding anti-Korean sentiment, though he denied this. Okawa made controversial statements asserting that Koreans were never forced into labor by Japan and that "comfort women" (a euphemism for women forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II) were also never forced to work. He further claimed that "those Koreans who presented sob stories decades later were plucked from weepy funerals and 'bribed' to blacken Japan's name, such lies now being firmly 'embedded in Korean culture'." These statements drew strong condemnation for denying historical atrocities and propagating discriminatory narratives.

5.3. Rivalry with Aum Shinrikyo

Happy Science engaged in a bitter rivalry with the cult Aum Shinrikyo, escalating from 1990. Okawa publicly criticized Aum Shinrikyo and its leader, Shoko Asahara, calling Asahara a "frog" in reference to his ascetic yoga practices. In retaliation, Asahara criticized Okawa for his perceived lack of ascetic training and insufficient doctrinal knowledge. In 1991, during a period of intense public criticism against Happy Science, academic Hiromi Shimada, a critic of Happy Science, appeared to favor Aum Shinrikyo, citing Asahara's ascetic training and familiarity with Buddhist doctrine as superior to Okawa's. Okawa was further criticized for his supposed limited understanding of his own teachings and for allegedly faking his spiritual messages, leading to challenges for him to prove his supernatural powers. Asahara even published a book mocking Okawa's superficial knowledge of Buddhism. A live television debate was proposed between the two groups, but Okawa declined to participate. The animosity between Happy Science and Aum Shinrikyo reached a dangerous climax in February 1995 when members of Aum Shinrikyo attempted to assassinate Okawa by injecting the nerve agent VX into the air conditioning system of his car with a needle-less syringe. For unknown reasons, the attempt failed.

6. Death

Ryuho Okawa's passing occurred in March 2023 following a sudden health incident.

6.1. Circumstances of Death

On February 28, 2023, Ryuho Okawa was hospitalized after collapsing at his home in Minato, Tokyo. He was found in a state of cardiac arrest. He died on March 2, 2023, at the age of 66.
According to Happy Science's internal accounts, Okawa had suffered a heart attack in May 2004, and doctors reportedly stated he "should be dead" given his condition. However, Okawa maintained consciousness and recovered, which he attributed to his own spiritual powers. This event led to the establishment of the "New Resurrection Festival" on May 14 by Happy Science, celebrating his miraculous recovery.

7. Legacy and Evaluation

Ryuho Okawa's legacy is complex, marked by both fervent devotion from his followers and widespread criticism from external observers, leaving a significant, albeit controversial, impact on Japan's religious and cultural landscape.

7.1. Positive Assessments

From the perspective of his followers and supporters, Ryuho Okawa's legacy is seen as overwhelmingly positive and transformative. He is lauded for his prolific writing, having authored over 3,000 books and delivered over 3,500 lectures by late 2022, a testament to his dedication to disseminating his spiritual truths. His consistent achievement of Guinness World Records for the "most books published by an individual in a year" highlights his extraordinary output. His teachings, encompassing a wide array of topics from spiritual guidance to business principles and political philosophy, are regarded as comprehensive and practical. The global reach of Happy Science, with its teachings translated into over 41 languages and published in more than 167 countries, is seen as a testament to the universal appeal and power of his message. Adherents believe his teachings offer profound comfort, energy, courage, hope, and a sense of divine guidance, leading them towards personal enlightenment and the realization of a global utopia. His establishment of educational institutions and his forays into media production (films and music) are viewed as innovative methods for spreading his vision and contributing to societal betterment.

7.2. Critical Assessments

Despite the positive views from his followers, Ryuho Okawa and Happy Science have faced consistent and severe criticism from various sources. The most prominent criticism is the widespread accusation that Happy Science operates as a cult, based on concerns about the intense devotion demanded from followers, Okawa's self-proclaimed divinity (as El Cantare and other historical figures), and the perceived control exerted over members' lives.

His doctrines have drawn scrutiny for their syncretic nature and for allegedly incorporating elements from various religions and philosophies without proper acknowledgment, with some critics even suggesting instances of plagiarism in his early "spiritual messages." His leadership style, while charismatic, has been criticized for its perceived authoritarianism and the rapid, sometimes seemingly arbitrary, changes in doctrine and organizational structure, which critics argue served to maintain his absolute control.

Furthermore, Okawa's public statements on historical and social issues have attracted significant condemnation. His views on Japanese history, particularly his denial of forced labor and sexual slavery related to "comfort women" during World War II, are widely regarded as historical revisionism and discriminatory against specific ethnic groups, especially Koreans. The public family disputes, particularly the estrangement and outspoken criticism from his eldest son, Hiroshi, have further fueled skepticism regarding the internal dynamics and integrity of the organization and its leadership. The intense rivalry and alleged assassination attempt by Aum Shinrikyo also cast a shadow over Happy Science's public image, highlighting the controversial and often confrontational nature of its interactions within the Japanese new religious movement landscape.

8. See also

List of messiah claimants
Messiah complex
New religious movements