On March 25, 2025, a court in Tokyo decisively ruled that the Japanese chapter of the Unification Church must disband, a significant outcome linked to the political and social ramifications following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The assassination, carried out by a man claiming to have been financially devastated by the church's practices, exposed disturbing details about the organization, including allegations of coercive fundraising activities.
Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Amid Controversy
Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Amid Controversy
The court's decision follows investigations triggered by the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, revealing troubling financial practices within the church.
In its ruling, the court sided with a request from the Japanese government to revoke the church's legal status, underscoring findings that it had breached regulations governing religious practices. The Ministry of Education initiated the disbandment process in October 2023 after gathering testimonies from approximately 1,550 former church members, who reported financial losses totaling 20.4 billion yen (around $140 million).
The Unification Church, founded in South Korea by Rev. Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s and known for its large-scale wedding ceremonies, has faced increased scrutiny since the killing of Abe, which occurred while he was delivering a campaign speech. The shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly held the church accountable for his family's financial ruin, asserting that his mother was pressured into giving away her life savings. Yamagami has confessed to the crime but remains on trial. The court's ruling reflects a growing concern regarding the influence and practices of the Unification Church within Japanese society and its potential political connections following the tragic event.
The Unification Church, founded in South Korea by Rev. Sun Myung Moon in the 1950s and known for its large-scale wedding ceremonies, has faced increased scrutiny since the killing of Abe, which occurred while he was delivering a campaign speech. The shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, reportedly held the church accountable for his family's financial ruin, asserting that his mother was pressured into giving away her life savings. Yamagami has confessed to the crime but remains on trial. The court's ruling reflects a growing concern regarding the influence and practices of the Unification Church within Japanese society and its potential political connections following the tragic event.
