Honbu-in Zentaro Tanaka, 67, received sanction as the Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs on November 26. He had received sanction as the acting Director-in-Chief on November 16 due to the illness of then Director-in-Chief Tomoo Itakura, who later on that day passed away for rebirth at the age of 67.
Director-in-Chief Tanaka was born on February 20, 1938. He became the head minister of Chuka Grand Church in 1971 and was appointed as Honbu-in in 1987. He also served as responsible officer of Religious Corporation Tenrikyo, head of the Administrative Affairs Department, head of the Religious Affairs Bureau, and director of Shuyoka. As the Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs, he now also serves as representative officer of Religious Corporation Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.
Rev. Tomoo Itakura was born on January 4, 1938, and was a graduate of Keio University. He received the truth of the Sazuke on January 19, 1956. He was appointed as Honbu-seinen in 1961, Honbu-jun’in in 1976, Besseki Lecturer in 1982, and Honbu-in in 1986. He served as responsible officer of Religious Corporation Tenrikyo, head of the Property Management Department, head of the Construction and Maintenance Department, and representative officer of Religious Corporation Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.