Japanese Court Orders Dissolution of Controversial Union Church Following Abuse Allegations

A Japanese court has ordered the dissolution of the controversial union church, which has become a focal point of public scrutiny following the fatal attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The Tokyo District Court’s decision means the Association Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), will lose its status as a religious community in Japan. This status loss entails the removal of tax privileges and the requirement to dissolve its assets, according to Kyodo news agency. However, the organization may continue to operate within Japan.

The court’s ruling followed a government investigation into the practices of the union church, which was prompted by the assassination of Abe in July 2022. The perpetrator claimed to have targeted Abe due to his alleged ties to the organization. The attacker’s mother was reportedly involved in significant financial donations to the group, which the assailant described as having ruined her family.

The court’s decision was based on a request from the Ministry of Education and Culture. Judges concluded that the group had led its supporters to make substantial donations over an extended period, resulting in financial and psychological harm. Japanese TV station NHK reported that the organization defended its fundraising as part of its religious practice. The BBC noted concerns about the spiritual well-being of members, with nearly 200 individuals reporting they had been victims of the movement.

The organization maintains ties with Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which is linked to Abe’s grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. While Abe was internationally recognized as a statesman, his association with the group has been a point of controversy. The FFWPU was founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon and has been active in Japan since the 1960s. It is currently led by Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of the late founder.

Moon, who passed away in 2012, established the organization based on biblical teachings but reinterpreted some of its content. He envisioned leading humanity toward a “sin-free” state of purity. The group claims to have around three million followers globally, though experts suggest a much smaller core membership. The FFWPU is known for its arranged marriages and mass weddings, where tens of thousands of couples who were previously strangers are blessed in collective ceremonies.

Source: Read the original report (translated from German)