Matius Ho

In addition, Mr. Ho exchanged views with Susumu Shimazono, a scholar of religious studies, and Tadashi Ogawa, a professor at Atomi University, and met with Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace Japan.

Report

Mr. Matius Ho is the founder and current Executive Director of the Leimena Institute, a nonprofit organization in Indonesia. At the institute, he developed Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy (CCRL), an education program designed for people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Through this initiative, he works to prevent religious tensions from escalating into conflict and to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation through education.

Building a society where people from diverse backgrounds can live together safely and harmoniously has become increasingly important in Japan. In response to this growing need, research by experts in education and religion is gaining momentum, while communities and non-profit organizations are expanding their efforts to promote mutual understanding and support among people from different backgrounds.

During his stay in Japan, Mr. Ho visited educational institutions, Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and a mosque in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. He learned about their respective activities and engaged in a series of dialogues on Japanese culture, education, history, and values. At a time when division and intolerance are on the rise in many parts of the world, these visits provided valuable opportunities for him to exchange views with Japanese experts on how to foster mutual understanding and trust while respecting one another’s faiths and values.

Reflecting on his ten days in Japan, Mr. Ho commented:
“Through my experiences and learning in Japan, I came to recognize more deeply the importance of religious literacy in helping people from different backgrounds understand and respect one another. One of the most valuable things I learned in Japan was about grief care, a form of support often provided by religious leaders to help people cope with the loss of loved ones and navigate their grief. As one who lives in a country that also experiences frequent natural disasters, I gained a new perspective on the role of religious leaders in supporting people through emotional distress and loss.”

The dialogue and exchanges with Mr. Ho were also a meaningful learning experience for those of us in Japan. We hope to strengthen this connection and continue learning from one another in the future.

Press Release (in Japanese)

「ASEAN共同体ビジョン2045」に採用！多文化・多宗教間の理解を促進するマティウス・ホー氏を招へい

Social Media Posts – Visits and Activities

Facebook

• https://www.facebook.com/TheJapanfoundation/posts/pfbid02DQ6mjEmTSLJbSXxh8rgoNCjocAXQoxPBkxWWsAPcpTfFBg2RaygFd4mU4eGQuA9Bl
• https://www.facebook.com/TheJapanfoundation/posts/pfbid0J7M92BVSXTWqm8mMSmoSNH5r8fRRTaTxhd8DjU3vh8oszwuyiJeLbFSJ85zmCvNKl
• https://www.facebook.com/TheJapanfoundation/posts/pfbid0vAwYoP6QBPjKwXs4MZLLWym3RVoCv9uW5vfQKsVs6FWZggrWpy14aZwkGzQAcuHZl
• https://www.facebook.com/TheJapanfoundation/posts/1323756143267014/

X

• https://x.com/Japanfoundation/status/2094655246001910016
• https://x.com/Japanfoundation/status/2094710740112519425
• https://x.com/Japanfoundation/status/2095784328261464438