The Tokyo district court has mandated the disbandment of the Unification Church, a group that has been a focal point of controversy in Japan, particularly following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. The alleged shooter expressed resentment tied to Abe's affiliations with the church, indicating it had caused his family financial ruin.
Under the ruling, promoted by Japan's education and culture ministry due to accusations of financial misconduct, the church will lose its tax-exempt status and must start liquidating its assets. However, it retains the right to continue its activities in the country and can appeal the dissolution decision.
The court's investigation revealed that members were reportedly coerced into costly donations, motivated by fears regarding their spiritual welfare. Authorities interviewed approximately 200 individuals who claimed to have been exploited by the church's practices.
Founded in South Korea in the 1960s by Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church promotes marriage as integral to spiritual salvation and is notorious for its mass wedding ceremonies that unite thousands of couples.
Since Abe's death, around 200 ex-believers have filed claims against the church seeking compensation totaling approximately 5.7 billion yen (around $38.5 million). Investigations have also disclosed that the church had deep ties to members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leading to significant political fallout. An internal probe uncovered that 179 of the party's 379 lawmakers had engaged with the church, sparking resignations and raising public awareness about the controversial group's influence in Japanese politics.
Under the ruling, promoted by Japan's education and culture ministry due to accusations of financial misconduct, the church will lose its tax-exempt status and must start liquidating its assets. However, it retains the right to continue its activities in the country and can appeal the dissolution decision.
The court's investigation revealed that members were reportedly coerced into costly donations, motivated by fears regarding their spiritual welfare. Authorities interviewed approximately 200 individuals who claimed to have been exploited by the church's practices.
Founded in South Korea in the 1960s by Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church promotes marriage as integral to spiritual salvation and is notorious for its mass wedding ceremonies that unite thousands of couples.
Since Abe's death, around 200 ex-believers have filed claims against the church seeking compensation totaling approximately 5.7 billion yen (around $38.5 million). Investigations have also disclosed that the church had deep ties to members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leading to significant political fallout. An internal probe uncovered that 179 of the party's 379 lawmakers had engaged with the church, sparking resignations and raising public awareness about the controversial group's influence in Japanese politics.
