**A Tokyo district court has ruled to dissolve the Unification Church, stripped of tax-exempt status due to financial controversies stemming from its practices.**
**Japan's Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy**
**Japan's Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy**
**The ruling comes in the wake of scrutiny following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.**
The Tokyo district court has issued a landmark ruling mandating the dissolution of the Unification Church, also known as the "Moonies," following heightened scrutiny since the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The alleged assassin reportedly cited his grievances with the church, attributing his family's financial ruin to its influence.
The Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture had called for the church's disbandment, accusing it of manipulative practices that encouraged followers to make significant financial sacrifices under duress. While the church contends that these donations are integral to its religious activities, it now faces an uphill battle as it can appeal the court's decision.
The court's ruling, however, does allow the church to continue operating in Japan, albeit without tax-exempt privileges. During the investigation, authorities discovered instances of coercion, where nearly 200 alleged victims reported being forced into substantial purchases based on manipulated fears for their spiritual welfare.
The Unification Church, founded in South Korea, has maintained a presence in Japan since the 1960s and has historically attracted controversy for its teachings emphasizing marriage as essential to spiritual salvation. The church is particularly known for its mass wedding events.
In the aftermath of Abe's assassination, about 200 former members of the church have come forward, seeking a total of 5.7 billion yen ($38.5 million) in compensations, as revealed by their legal representatives. Investigative findings linked numerous lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to the church, resulting in a significant political fallout, including the resignation of four ministers. As a result of this investigation, it was found that 179 out of 379 party lawmakers had engaged with the church in various capacities, including receiving donations and attending events, revealing a web of deep connections that has shocked the Japanese public.
The Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture had called for the church's disbandment, accusing it of manipulative practices that encouraged followers to make significant financial sacrifices under duress. While the church contends that these donations are integral to its religious activities, it now faces an uphill battle as it can appeal the court's decision.
The court's ruling, however, does allow the church to continue operating in Japan, albeit without tax-exempt privileges. During the investigation, authorities discovered instances of coercion, where nearly 200 alleged victims reported being forced into substantial purchases based on manipulated fears for their spiritual welfare.
The Unification Church, founded in South Korea, has maintained a presence in Japan since the 1960s and has historically attracted controversy for its teachings emphasizing marriage as essential to spiritual salvation. The church is particularly known for its mass wedding events.
In the aftermath of Abe's assassination, about 200 former members of the church have come forward, seeking a total of 5.7 billion yen ($38.5 million) in compensations, as revealed by their legal representatives. Investigative findings linked numerous lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to the church, resulting in a significant political fallout, including the resignation of four ministers. As a result of this investigation, it was found that 179 out of 379 party lawmakers had engaged with the church in various capacities, including receiving donations and attending events, revealing a web of deep connections that has shocked the Japanese public.
