Unification Church Ordered to Dissolve in Japan
The Tokyo District Court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, citing its "unprecedentedly large amount of damage" caused primarily through questionable donation practices.
The court recognized that the church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, caused over 19.4 billion yen ($129 million) in damage until 2009, based on court-ordered compensation in lawsuits and settlements with victims.
The church has indicated it will appeal the decision, meaning the dissolution order will be put on hold. The case could eventually reach the Supreme Court.
The education ministry, which oversees religious organizations, requested the dissolution order in October 2023. They argued that since around 1980, the church has been stirring up anxieties among followers, inducing them to donate large amounts of money, harming their peaceful lives.
The church denies wrongdoing, claiming they made a "declaration of compliance" in 2009 and donation claims have reduced. However, the court found that the church failed to implement improvement measures and questionable practices continued.
Court hearings were held behind closed doors, focusing on whether the church's solicitation of large-amount donations could be recognized as "malignant and continuous."
The decision marks a significant development, as past dissolutions of religious groups like Aum Shinrikyo were based on Criminal Law violations. This case relied on a tort under the Civil Law, following a Supreme Court ruling that illegal actions under the Civil Law can also be detrimental to public welfare.
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification says it runs about 280 churches in Japan, with about 600,000 followers. The decision comes after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the suspect citing his mother's donations to the church as a motive. This has brought renewed attention to the group's donation-collection activities.
8 Comments
Rotfront
This is a step in the right direction towards protecting people from these manipulative and harmful organizations.
Karamba
I hope this dissolution sends a strong message that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. It's time for the Unification Church to be held accountable.
Matzomaster
This is a huge victory for victims and their families. Let this be a warning to any other organization engaging in similar predatory practices.
ArtemK
Hopefully, this will deter other groups from engaging in similar unethical behavior. It's about time someone stood up to these manipulative organizations.
Loubianka
This ruling is a testament to the power of the legal system to protect people from harmful practices. It's a victory for all those who have been affected by the Unification Church.
ZmeeLove
Dissolving the church won't solve the problem. People will still seek out similar groups, and the harmful practices might continue underground.
Habibi
The families of the victims deserve justice and compensation for the harm they have suffered. Dissolving the church is a step in the right direction.
Muchacho
This is a landmark decision that could have far-reaching implications for how religious organizations are regulated in Japan. It's a positive step towards protecting vulnerable individuals.