Praise for man who called for friendship

TOKYO: President Hu Jintao yesterday spoke highly of Daisaku Ikeda, honorary president of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), for his contribution to the friendship between China and Japan.

The SGI is a Buddhist association with about 12 million members in 190 countries.

Ikeda established the Momei ("clean government") political party in 1964, based on the Buddhist principles of compassion and respect for life.