US EditionUnification Church faces dissolution in Japan
- In October 2023, Japanese authorities sought to dissolve the Unification Church, also known as the "Moonies," which was founded in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon, due to allegations of pressuring followers into making life-ruining donations and child neglect, accusations the church denies.
- The move to dissolve the Unification Church follows the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving leader, which revealed close ties between the church and many conservative ruling-party lawmakers and led to the resignation of four ministers.
- Tetsuya Yamagami, the 44-year-old man accused of killing Abe, reportedly resented the Unification Church because his mother donated 100 million yen to the church, allegedly neglecting her children and leaving them without food.
- Since Abe's murder, the Unification Church has pledged to prevent "excessive" member donations, and a 2023 bill was approved, though critics argue it takes a light touch on financing, while lawyers warn the group could transfer its financial assets elsewhere.
- Dissolution would remove the church's tax-exempt status and brand it a harmful entity, but lawyer Katsuomi Abe stated that the Unification Church could continue religious practices even after dissolution, though one speaker told AFP, "I don't think any other organisation has caused such damage" to Japanese society.
61 Articles
61 Articles
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayUnification Church faces legal dissolution in Japan over predatory donations after Abe assassination fallout
TOKYO, March 15 — The Unification Church has come under intense scrutiny in Japan since a former prime minister was assassinated, but it could soon fall even further from grace. Authorities said in October 2023 they were seeking to dissolve the influential sect, founded in South Korea and nicknamed the “Moonies” after its late founder, Sun Myung Moon. The church is accused of pressuring followers into making life-ruining donations, and blamed fo…
Japan Moves to Dissolve Unification Church Over Controversy
Japan is on the verge of formally dissolving the Unification Church, stripping it of legal recognition and tax-exempt status following accusations of financial exploitation and child neglect. The controversial sect, founded in South Korea and widely known as the “Moonies,” has been under scrutiny since the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Authorities blame the church for pressuring followers into massive donations, with so…
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