Born in Kawashima, Tokushima Prefecture, Shikoku, Japan. The Founder, CEO, and "god" of controversial new religious movement Happy Science. First presenting himself as a spiritual channeler in contact with Buddha and Jesus Christ, he'd later claim a spiritual awakening in which he discovered he was the rebirth of Buddha. In July 1991 at the Tokyo Dome, Okawa proclaimed himself as latest incarnation of El Cantare, the supreme "God of the Earth".

Happy Science features a complex network of reincarnations of Okawa, often known deities with history far different from their known depictions (Hermes, Elohim) or newly invented figures (La Mu). Happy Science claims that El Cantare is the one source of all world religions, but various religious figures have their backstories modified to fit the organization's worldview.

Happy Science has gained additional controversy overseas for its right-wing Japanese nationalist Sinophobic political beliefs and combination of conspiracy and faith healing rhetoric about the coronavirus.

Okawa is known for putting out thousands of books, many of which are edited transcriptions of his lectures. He is also known for his "spiritual readings" where he claims to evoke spirits and aliens to gain secret insights. His books and lectures cover religious practice, alternate history, politics, self-help, business, miracle healing, and more.

Okawa has released various anime and live action films to promote Happy Science. Family members are often involved in the day-today running and production of his films, notably his eldest daughter Okawa Sayuka as a scriptwriter and Okawa Hiroshi, who acted in his movies before leaving the organization and becoming one of its most vocal critics.

Okawa died on March 2, 2023 at the age of 66. His cause of death is unknown. Edit Biography