The day marked a remarkable occasion of connection. I had the pleasure of meeting with the family who initiated the funding of the Marine Foundation Japan. For the past three years, they have been anticipating financial returns from some significant investments. Gathering with them, I expressed my profound gratitude and the unwavering resolve of our Marine Foundation to fulfill their aspirations for our organization’s success across all levels. We are committed to meeting these expectations in 2024.

I endeavored to convey the depth of my appreciation for what their prompt action meant to me back then. It was a gesture of complete faith followed by almost immediate action, which truly took me by surprise. The family’s name is Akahane. It includes three sisters: Yoko, Toshiko, and Kayoko; the mother Ayako and Toshiko’s husband Takeru. Yoko, in particular, is someone with whom I was in constant communication. Together, we traveled to various locations around the world with the Marine Foundation, including Switzerland, and visited our newly acquired property in Izu, Japan. Since then, Yoko has been involved in numerous events and has also been a pioneer in developing the system for the International Women’s Club (IWC). The IWC system is set to be officially introduced at an inauguration ceremony planned for March 11, 2024.

What truly touched me during this financial interaction was the presence of Mother Ayako. She is of a venerable age and she brought to mind memories of my own grandmother from my childhood. I shared with them the tale of my youthful journey to the United States from France. The pivotal figure in that chapter of my life was a lady I held in esteem as my grandmother, Madame Vallet. Throughout my life, women of advanced years, whom I revered as mothers or grandmothers, have consistently been the source of my good fortune. They seemed to arrive like celestial benefactors, guiding me toward a providential path. I’ve always associated them with the wise angels of heaven, offering support whenever it was most needed. While Yoko was the catalyst for our meeting, it was her mother’s blessing that ultimately allowed our vision to materialize: the establishment of the Marine Foundation as a functioning financial platform.

Yoko Akahane, along with her sisters Toshiko and Kayoko, have emerged as the three foundational fairies propelling the Marine Foundation to its current stature in Japan. Under the wise guidance of their esteemed mother, Ayako, and the zealous support of their brother-in-law Takeru, they, together with their close friends, have laid the cornerstone of what is evolving into a terrestrial embodiment of the Kingdom of Heaven: The Marine Foundation.

I also shared with them the generous gift from Lady Tomita in IZU KOGEN, Japan—a magnificent estate spanning approximately 18,000 square meters, complete with its own natural hot spring inside the residence. Lady Tomita, a gracious centenarian, along with her lovely daughter Arie, and her grandchildren Saki and Takashi, have wholeheartedly donated the entire property to the Marine Foundation. Today, it is known as the Marine Embassy Resort House and has become an integral part of the ‘MER’ concept of the Marine Foundation. It will function as a venue for entertainment, serene gatherings, meetings, and reunions. I assured the Akahane family that this place is also for them. In due time, they will be able to use it for their gatherings and enjoy the space at any time throughout the year. The ethos of the Marine Foundation is to share all that it possesses.

The Akahane family will be eternally celebrated by future generations for their generous hearts, which support the essential work of creating a better world. I envision, with great immediacy, that they will receive their well-deserved rewards promptly, enabling them to lead a richer life full of new discoveries. Furthermore, their forthcoming rewards may empower them to extend their benevolence to even more individuals. I offer a public prayer for their prosperity, hoping it stands as a beacon of faith and a testament to the collective spirit of generosity in Japan and across the globe. May their example inspire the many lives the Marine Foundation will touch and support through its extraordinary platform for development.