Tokyo Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Over Donation-Related Damages

The Tokyo District Court on March 25 ruled to dissolve the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church, citing “an unprecedentedly large amount of damage” caused primarily through questionable donation practices. The court acknowledged that the organization had caused over 19.4 billion yen ($129 million) in damages until 2009, based on court-ordered compensation and settlements with victims.

The group has indicated it will appeal the decision to the Tokyo High Court, placing the dissolution order on hold. The case could eventually reach the Supreme Court. “We cannot accept the decision,” the church stated on its website, adding that it would consider filing an immediate appeal.

If the dissolution order is finalized, the organization will lose its status as a religious corporation, resulting in the loss of tax benefits such as exemption from corporate tax on income from religious activities. However, the court did not prohibit the organization’s religious activities, such as faith and proselytizing.

Education Minister Toshiko Abe stated in a post-decision release that the ministry’s claim had been accepted. The ministry, which oversees religious organizations, requested the dissolution order at the Tokyo District Court in October 2023. It argued that since around 1980, the church had stirred anxieties among followers, inducing them to donate large sums of money.

The ministry submitted approximately 5,000 pieces of evidence, claiming that around 1,550 victims had suffered damages totaling 20.4 billion yen. Under the Religious Corporations Law, a court may order dissolution if an organization engages in conduct that is clearly in violation of laws and regulations and extremely detrimental to public welfare.

The church disputed the ministry’s claims, asserting that the victims’ statements and other documents were inaccurate. It also noted that in 2009, the organization made a “declaration of compliance” following legal issues. Since then, the church claimed that claims of damage over donations had significantly decreased.

Despite this, the court found that even after the 2009 declaration, “it cannot be said that fundamental measures have been taken to significantly change the nature of the organization and the behavior of its followers.” The court’s decision reflects a determination that the group’s actions continued to harm public welfare.

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