In brief
In a significant legal decision, a Tokyo court has instructed the disbandment of the Unification Church's Japanese branch due to manipulative fundraising practices that came to light after the assassination of Shinzo Abe, Japan's former prime minister. The ruling emerged following an investigation triggered by the violence, revealing how the organization coerced its followers into financial hardships for donations.
The court's ruling was prompted by a government request, declaring the church's actions as violations of religious laws. The education ministry's inquiry found that the church had compelled approximately 1,550 former members to contribute significant amounts of money, causing total damages of around 20.4 billion yen (approximately $140 million). Founded in South Korea by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Unification Church gained notoriety for its mass wedding ceremonies and now has a global presence.The investigation into the church intensified following the assassination of Abe, who was shot during a campaign event in July 2022. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, harbored resentment towards the church, believing it had financially ruined his family by persuading his mother, a devoted member, to deplete her savings. Yamagami has confessed to the shooting and awaits trial, revealing a complex connection between the church and political figures in Japan, especially concerning financial vulnerabilities of its adherents.
