The 34th English Class of Shuyoka (the three-month Spiritual Development Course) began in the Home of the Parent on April 1 as part of the 804th session of Shuyoka, which has a total of 617 students (as of April 1). This year, there are 24 participants from nine countries: 6 from the United States (3 each from the mainland and Hawaii), 5 each from Kenya and the Philippines, 2 each from Canada and Nepal, 1 each from Brazil, Germany, Uganda, and Ukraine. Their instructors are Rev. Kunishige Ito, head minister of Westside Church in California and Rev. Tomoharu Matsui, a staff member of the Overseas Department.
Rev. Ito teaches the classes on The Life of Oyasama and the Mikagura-uta, The Songs for the Service, while Rev. Matsui serves as the homeroom instructor and teaches the classes on The Doctrine of Tenrikyo and the service dance.