congregations of Nichiren Shōshū temples (close to 700 in Japan and 20 in other countries) have traditionally called themselves, Hokkekō is also used loosely in reference to all temple congregations (local Hokkekō chapters) collectively. When used this way, it can be understood to mean the national Hokkekō umbrella organization in Japan and Hokkekō groups that encompass the congregations of Nichiren Shōshū temples outside Japan. The Japanese umbrella organization, officially called the Hokkekō Rengō Kai (Hokkekō Federation), is related to Japanese Buddhism and was incorporated under Japanese law in July 1962. Its headquarters are located at Hodo-in temple Toshima Tōkyō, Japan, and it maintains a chapter at each local temple. Hokkekō groups tend to be organized fairly loosely and are generally unregimented. Whereas some members are very active in temple-based propagation and other activities, others come only for a monthly service called o-kō (or, more formally, , "meeting to show gratitude to the Buddha"), the annual Oeshiki ceremony on the anniversary of Nichiren Daishōnin's passing, and other temple events. Though Nichiren Shōshū still considered individual Sōka Gakkai members to be lay followers until a rule change in September 1997, most members mistakenly believed that they had been excommunicated along with the Sōka Gakkai organization and its executive leaders. Hokkekō is not affiliated with any political organization. (The former Dai-Koto was Mr. Kisoji Yanagisawa.) The current Dai-Koto of the Hokkekō Federation is Mr. Koichiro Hoshino. The present Vice-Chairman is Mr. Hiroo Sekino. See also Nichiren Shōshū Nichiren Buddhism Notes Nichiren Buddhism