Agnes Chan presents two songs written by Ikeda Sensei

そこには 幸せが もう生まれているから (Happiness is Right Here)


ピースフルワールド (Peaceful World)


Agnes Chan, a non-member, is a well known singer in Japan and a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. Her first encounter with Sensei was 34 years ago at the age of 18, when she first went to Japan to release her first album. At that time, she was filled with uncertainties in the future of a new life in Japan, both as a singer and as a first year university student. Sensei encouraged her, saying: “Study is your most important task! And then sing for the sake of people’s happiness. Songs and music can bring people together. Please also take care of your health!”

In 2006, she was invited to attend the opening of the "Building A Culture of Peace for the Children of the World" exhibition held at the International Women Centre. Deeply touched by the welcome song "Mother" presented by the women division's Choir, she wrote to Sensei on her resolve to sing "songs of peace" for all people.

Sensei responded immediately by presenting her with a long poem around mid November. Immensely moved, she completed the music in one breath.

However, immediately after that, she had to go through an operation to remove a benign tumour from her salivary glands. The recording was done after the operation when she was still having a slant to her mouth when she talked and smiled. But she sung with the feeling as if her life has been transformed. The song titled “Happiness Is Right Here” gave her hope and encouraged her to be positive and she wanted to send this message to all others.

In August 2007, she released the second song based on President Ikeda’s poem “Peaceful World”. But in September, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As it was still in the early stage, she overcame it after going through a successful operation. And in October, she held a concert at the Great Hall of the People in China, during which she sang these songs written by President Ikeda. She shared, “Ikeda Sensei has always exerted himself in working for peace. Sensei’s action is the power and driving force for people throughout the world. There are important messages in these poems he wrote for me. They are filled with the messages of the misery that war brings, and the importance of peace.”