On March 30, at the Foundress' Hall 3, the Shinbashira addressed this year's new missionaries who would be spending a year at one or another of the16 missionary houses, of which two are located in the United States and the rest in various parts of Japan.

He told the 86 new residents of these missionary houses, "The missionary houses will provide you with the best environment for spending your days focused solely on sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings and working to save others, while putting aside all other duties." He cautioned, however: "It will serve no purpose if you slacken your commitment to missionary work after completing the one-year program at your assigned missionary house. Bear in mind that your experiences at the missionary house are not merely meant to decorate your resume."

He went on to say: "While you busily engage in door-to-door missionary work, which will usually be the central activity at any of the missionary houses, you must also study the teachings to enable you to convince others of the truth of the teachings without error. As a missionary, you should work on both studying the teachings and engaging in missionary work so that you can settle the teachings more deeply in your mind and strengthen your conviction of faith that will open up your path toward the future. I very much hope that you will follow the path in such a way that you will have no regrets later."

Saying that the former Shinbashira used to impress upon the residents of the missionary houses the importance of "courage" and "perseverance," the Shinbashira told the listeners, "Even if you have difficulties in attracting people's attention to the teachings, you should always remember the Divine Model and keep your mind spirited as demonstrated by Oyasama." He concluded his remarks by saying, "I sincerely hope that your one-year activities at your assigned missionary house will turn out to provide life-long spiritual support for you as you advance along the path."

This year, three missionaries will be based in the Hawaii Missionary House, located in Honolulu, and one in the America Missionary House, in Los Angeles.