Unification Church appeals dissolution order to Supreme Court

The Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has filed a special appeal with the Supreme Court against a Tokyo High Court order to dissolve the group. The appeal seeks to challenge the dissolution decision, which was upheld by the Tokyo High Court following a ruling by the Tokyo District Court. The group’s legal team argues that the dissolution order violates constitutional protections for freedom of religion and misinterprets the legal criteria for dissolution under Japan’s religious corporations law.

Under Japanese law, a special appeal to the Supreme Court is permitted only in limited circumstances, such as alleged constitutional violations. The Unification Church is expected to assert that actions deemed illegal by the Civil Code do not constitute a “violation of laws” as defined in the religious corporations law. This argument is central to its case, as the Tokyo High Court found that improper donation solicitations by the group’s followers caused damages exceeding ¥7.4 billion over a four-decade period.

The court’s ruling emphasized that unlawful conduct persisted even after the group pledged to improve compliance with laws in 2009. It expressed concerns that similar misconduct could continue, concluding that the root cause of the issue lies within the organization itself. The Tokyo High Court stated that, despite considerations of freedom of religion, the dissolution order was necessary and unavoidable.

The Tokyo District Court has already appointed lawyer Hisashi Ito as the group’s liquidator, and liquidation procedures are ongoing. Masaichi Hori, who previously served as head of the organization in Japan, has stepped down from his position. The dissolution order marks Japan’s first instance of a religious organization being dissolved based on actions deemed illegal by the Civil Code, following a request from the culture ministry.

The Unification Church had previously appealed the initial dissolution decision, but the Tokyo High Court upheld the ruling. This legal battle reflects broader concerns about the group’s financial practices and their impact on followers. The case has drawn attention to the balance between religious freedom and the need to address illegal activities within religious organizations.

The situation raises questions about accountability and the responsibilities of religious groups to adhere to legal standards. As the Supreme Court considers the appeal, the case underscores the complexities of regulating religious institutions while respecting constitutional rights. The outcome may set a precedent for future cases involving religious organizations in Japan.

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