In Memory of Akifumi Otani
Akifumi Otani, a 777 couple, who has been an adviser of the Unification Thought Institute of Japan ascended on April 18, 2019 at 76 years old.
Mr. Otani was born in Tottori, Japan in 1942. After graduation with a Ph.D. from the Department of Engineering at Tokyo University Graduate School, he joined the Unification Movement. He was actively engaged in the Unification Movement as a member of the Kagoshima Church and CARP. Since 1976, he was assigned to the Unification Thought Institute of Japan. Since then, he served as Vice-President of UTI of Japan under the guidance of Dr. Sang Hun Lee.
In 1970, he was Blessed in marriage with Yoshiko Otani as a 777 couple. The couple gave birth to one son and three daughters.
Seonghwa Ceremony
■ Kikan (Returning) Ceremony: April 23 at 7:00 PM
■ Seonghwa Ceremony: April 24 at 10:00 AM
■ Location: Shinjuku Church, 3-44-2 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo
Tyler Hendricks
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Mr. Otani is a wonderful brother with a gentle heart. He contributed greatly to the articulation Unification Thought and Unification Theology, centered deeply on True Parents. His ascension comes as a surprise, but I’m sure God and True Father have an important assignment for him from now. Our Unification academic community will miss his warm and reassuring presence with us here and his great contributions to our global discussion.
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Rev. R. Thillairajan
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When I was in Japan in the 80’s I got to know him. He is a wonderful human being, very dedicated to UTI. I pray for a smooth transition to the eternal world of God.
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Gunnard Johnston
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May our Heavenly Parent and all of Heaven warmly embrace this sacrificial son of True Parents forever.
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Thomas J. Ward
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President Otani was such a gifted scholar and a wise and patient mentor for all of us. He lived his life in service to True Parents, to Dr. Sang Hun Lee, to their representatives and to those who were inspired and found meaning in UT. In his quiet, modest, determined way, he made an important contribution to all of us and was for so many decades the midwife to UT as it grew and developed. I feel confident that True Parents, Dr. Lee, and the great past thinkers of all history will welcome him with open arms.
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Thomas Selover
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Mr. Otani is a wonderful, hard-working brother and internal leader in True Parents providence, who has been an earnest researcher and advocate for Unification Thought. He will be sorely missed here, but very welcome there. Godspeed, Otani-sensei!
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Galvan family
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Many blessings and God’s and True Parents’ Love and protection, may these be with dear Mr and Mrs Otani and family.
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