Short answers, pulled from the story.
Soka Gakkai was founded on the 18th of November 1930 by educators Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda. It was originally named Soka Kyoiku Gakkai, meaning Value Creating Educational Society, and was established through the publication of Makiguchi's book The System of Value-Creating Pedagogy.
The central practice is chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, also called Daimoku, which is understood as the title of the Lotus Sutra and the expression of Buddha nature inherent in all life. Members also recite portions of the Lotus Sutra's second and sixteenth chapters daily, and direct their practice toward a calligraphic mandala called the Gohonzon.
On the 28th of November 1991, High Priest Nikken Abe excommunicated Soka Gakkai and Soka Gakkai International, citing doctrinal deviations, the performance of rites without Nichiren Shoshu priests officiating, concerts featuring Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, and a leaked recording of a speech by then-president Daisaku Ikeda. Soka Gakkai countered with accusations of simony and hedonism among the clergy, and in 2014 rewrote its bylaws to formally sever any relationship with Nichiren Shoshu.
Komeito is a Japanese political party founded in 1964 by Daisaku Ikeda, the third president of Soka Gakkai. It grew from a political league Soka Gakkai formed in 1961 and became the third largest party in Japan, typically winning 10-15% of the popular vote. Since 1999 it has been allied with the Liberal Democratic Party in a governing coalition.
Soka Gakkai International claims over 12 million adherents worldwide, with the Japanese organization officially reporting 8.25 million member households as of 2025. Independent estimates are lower: academic Levi McLaughlin estimated in 2018 that Japanese membership is between 2.4 and 4 million people, and a 1996 NHK survey placed adherents at around 3.2% of Japan's population.
On the 6th of July 1943, Makiguchi, Toda, and 19 other leaders were arrested for violating Japan's Peace Preservation Law and for lese-majeste, charged with denying the emperor's divinity. Makiguchi died of malnutrition in prison on the 18th of November 1944 at the age of 73. Toda was released on the 3rd of July 1945 after serving two years, and immediately began rebuilding the organization.