Japanese Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversies
A Tokyo court dissolves the Unification Church after allegations of manipulative practices, following investigations tied to the assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe.
A court orders the Unification Church in Japan dissolved
Associated Press
Overview
Following a Tokyo District Court order, the Unification Church faces dissolution over manipulative practices harming its followers, exacerbated by investigations linked to the assassination of Shinzo Abe in 2022. The Education Ministry’s request cited extensive evidence of coercive fundraising and recruitment tactics. The church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has criticized the ruling as a violation of religious freedom. This marks a historic first under Japan's civil code, amidst ongoing scrutiny of the church’s ties to powerful politicians, though it plans to appeal the ruling.
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Analysis
- A Japanese court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, citing manipulative fundraising practices and the church's exploitative tactics towards followers amidst ongoing investigations linked to the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
- The Unification Church plans to appeal against the court's decision, asserting that the ruling threatens religious freedom and misinterprets legal statutes regarding religious organizations.
- The dissolution order highlights long-standing connections between the church and Japan's governing Liberal Democratic Party, prompting public and political scrutiny.
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