Japan Seeks Dissolution of Unification Church in Wake of Former Prime Minister’s Assassination
The Japanese government has requested a court order for the dissolution of the Unification Church branch in Japan following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. The government’s move comes after a thorough investigation into the church’s practices, which allegedly included pressuring followers to make excessive donations. Tetsuya Yamagami, the suspected shooter, claimed that Abe was associated with the church, which he blamed for bankrupting his family through his mother’s donations. Yamagami has been indicted on murder and firearm charges.
The investigation concluded that the Unification Church’s fundraising activities violated the 1951 Religious Corporations Act and harmed public welfare substantially. The Tokyo District Court will now make a judgment based on the evidence submitted by the government. This is the third time the Japanese government has sought a dissolution order for a religious group accused of violating the act, with previous cases involving the Aum Shinrikyo cult and Myokaku-ji Temple.
The Unification Church in Japan has denied any wrongdoing and criticized the government’s actions as biased and fake. It has pledged to reform and will present legal arguments against the dissolution order in court. If disbanded, the Unification Church would lose its status as a religious corporation in Japan and the associated tax benefits. However, it could continue to operate as a corporate entity.
Experts warn that a complete disbandment of the group could take years to process and may drive its activities underground. The Unification Church gained worldwide attention for its mass weddings, where thousands of couples get married simultaneously. Public scrutiny of the church intensified following Abe’s assassination, with allegations of political ties and further investigations into its fundraising practices.
Notably, the Unification Church has previously faced controversy and legal challenges. Former members have accused the church of using deceptive recruitment techniques and manipulating individuals. In one landmark case, the Sapporo District Court ruled in favor of former members who sued the church, ordering it to pay damages for its recruitment and indoctrination methods.
Critics argue that the government’s actions do not go far enough, as the Unification Church could still operate as a non-religious group. Some experts suggest that Japan needs to do more to educate the public about non-traditional religions and provide religious education in schools. This would help individuals make informed decisions and resist pressure from recruiters.