I asked Mr Toda, “If you resign as general director, who will be my mentor?” We were alone together in a room at the small Soka Gakkai Headquarters in Nishi-Kanda at the time.

“Though I cause you nothing but hardship, I am your mentor,” replied Mr Toda.

Those words galvanized my determination. I decided that I would see to it that he became the next president of Soka Gakkai. I was determined to achieve this, regardless of whatever personal sacrifices I had to make.