On January 10, a ceremony to celebrate the completion of Ikoi-no-Ie Outpatient Center, whose construction had begun in November 2003, was held with the presence of many distinguished guests including the Shinbashira, his wife, the former Shinbashira, Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs Zentaro Tanaka, and Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Masahiko Iburi as well as some 150 people involved with Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital or the construction work. Participants in the ceremony shared the joy of marking the occasion in the year of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama as well as the 40th anniversary of the founding of Ikoi-no-Ie Hopital.

A thanksgiving service, led by Rev. Iburi, was performed from 9:00 A.M. in the South Worship Hall of Church Headquarters. The participants offered gratitude for having been able to complete the two years of construction work without any trouble.

At 10:30 A.M., the Shinbashira and his wife, as well as the former Shinbashira, arrived at the Outpatient Center. After cutting the ribbon at the entrance to mark the official opening of the new facility, the Shinbashira proceeded to a meeting room on the fifth floor, where he heard a report on the construction work and an explanation of the facility from Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital President Hidehiro Okumura. Then, the Shinbashira went on a tour of inspection of each floor before arriving in the waiting lounge on the first floor, where the ceremony took place.

The Shinbashira began his address by expressing gratitude to those concerned for their efforts to complete the facility. Then he said, "Tenri Yorozu-sodansho Foundation (Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital) was founded as a means to help fulfill Tenrikyo's mission of universal salvation and aims to help people be saved not only physically but also spiritually."

He went on to say: "Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital is characterized by its unique administrative structure, in which the Medical Treatment Department, the Religious Guidance Department, and the Service Department cooperate closely. It has always had this structure since its establishment--this is a tradition that has been handed down to the present day.... The most important thing is to uphold its founding principle--which is to say, it is vital to make sure not to be swayed by the current of the times or changes in society but to continue to embody the enthusiasm and faith of those who, in its founding days, strove to make a contribution through Ikoi-no-Ie to universal salvation in response to Oyasama's parental love, which desires only to deliver single-hearted salvation."

He then quoted verses 10 and 11 from Part IX of the Ofudesaki, The Tip of the Writing Brush, which read: "Though there should be nothing called illness in human beings, no one knows the beginning of this world," and "Because of My desire to have you know this, I began doctors and medicine for weeding and fertilizing." He said: "We must bear in mind that the purpose of administering medication and treatment is not limited to restoring the patients' health. It also aims to help them settle the teachings in their mind and bring their minds into accord with the intention of God the Parent. Accordingly, it is not enough to cure illnesses. Rather, it is important to continue making sincere efforts to help the patients lead the Joyous Life as intended by God the Parent."

He concluded his address by saying: "It is necessary to take to heart, once again, the purpose of establishing the Yorozu-sodansho Foundation and the significance of Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital being housed in the Oyasato-yakata building-complex. Whether Ikoi-no-Ie [literally "house of rest"] truly functions as Ikoi-no-Ie depends on whether you have self-confidence and pride in upholding its founding purpose. I sincerely hope that this facility will be utilized in accord with the founding purpose."

In response to the Shinbashira's address, Tenri Yorozu-sodansho Foundation Chairman Ichiro Yokoyama offered gratitude to him on behalf of the participants. After that, a reception was held in a large conference room on the fifth floor.

Ikoi-no-Ie Outpatient Center has a reinforced concrete (partially steel-frame) structure with five stories above ground. Consulting rooms and waiting areas are arranged around a five-story atrium providing the whole building with plenty of natural light. Its fifth floor constitutes a restaurant with a sweeping view of Mt. Miminashi, Mt. Unebi, and Mt. Amanokaguyama, commonly known as the "Three Mountains of Yamato." An adjacent parking building has a steel structure with two stories above and one below ground. The combined gross floor area of these buildings is 33,211.35 square meters (357,500 sq. ft.).