Japan’s government has asked a court to revoke the legal status of the Unification Church after an Education Ministry investigation concluded the group systematically manipulated its followers into donating money, sowing fear and harming their familiesJapan's Education Minister Masahito Moriyama speaks at a press conference in Tokyo Friday. Oct. 13, 2023.
The request was made a day after Education Minister Masahito Moriyama announced a panel of experts had endorsed the revocation request based on the findings of the ministry's investigation into the church's fundraising tactics and other allegations.branch of the South Korea-based church, which officially calls itself the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, earlier condemned the government's decision.
The church tried to steer its followers’ decision-making, using manipulative tactics, making them buy expensive goods and donate beyond their financial ability and causing fear and harm to them and their families, Moriyama said Thursday. Japan has in place hurdles for restraining religious activities due to lessons from the prewar and wartime oppression of freedom of religion and thought.
The Unification Church obtained legal status as a religious organization in Japan in 1968 amid an anti-communist movement supported by Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi.
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