Tokyo: A Tokyo court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, stripping it of its tax-exempt status following allegations of financial exploitation. The decision comes after intensified scrutiny of the religious group in the wake of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination in 2022.
Authorities launched an investigation after Abe’s alleged killer claimed he targeted the leader due to his ties with the church, which he blamed for his family’s financial ruin. The probe indicated that the church pressured followers into making large donations and purchasing costly religious items under the guise of spiritual well-being.
Japan’s education and culture ministry had sought the group’s disbandment, accusing it of coercive fundraising practices. The Unification Church, also known as the “Moonies,” defended its activities, claiming that donations were part of its religious mission. The group has the right to appeal the ruling.
Although the court’s order mandates the liquidation of the church’s assets, it will still be permitted to operate in Japan. The decision marks a significant blow to the organisation, which has maintained a presence in the country since the 1960s.
Investigations into the church’s influence exposed deep ties between the religious group and conservative lawmakers, particularly within Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). An internal LDP probe found that 179 out of 379 lawmakers had engaged with the church, from attending its events to receiving election support. The revelations led to the resignation of four cabinet ministers.
Meanwhile, legal action against the church is mounting. Since 2023, around 200 former followers have filed lawsuits, demanding $38.5 million (5.7 billion yen) in compensation for coerced donations.
The Unification Church, founded in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon, has long faced controversy over its teachings, including its practice of mass weddings. The latest court ruling signals Japan’s strongest move yet against the group, as public pressure for government action continues to grow.
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