Unification Church in Japan Faced Government Inquiry Over Adoption Mediation Practices

The Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has come under scrutiny over its potential involvement in adoption mediation among its followers. This emerged from a pamphlet edited by the group and distributed to members in October 2003. The pamphlet, published by a Unification Church-affiliated publisher, outlined the church’s stance on adoption, suggesting that its headquarters’ family bureau would “mediate” adoptions and aim to establish many such arrangements. While the group’s current practices remain unclear, the pamphlet indicates past organizational efforts to facilitate adoptions within its community.

Further evidence of the church’s engagement in adoption matters surfaced in a revised edition of a book published in March 2015 and updated in August 2022. The book, authored by a Unification Church-affiliated individual, advised families of followers considering adoption to consult with the family bureau chief of their respective church. This suggests the group has continued to encourage and support adoption among its members, even in recent years.

In response to these findings, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in conjunction with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, issued a document to the Unification Church on November 22. The document contained questions regarding the nature of the church’s adoption mediation and demanded a response by December 5. If the group had been mediating adoptions for business purposes without the necessary permit, it could violate adoption mediation laws, potentially leading to a dissolution order.

The pamphlet also included remarks from late Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon and other leaders on “childbirth, pregnancy, and adoption.” These statements were compiled and published by the church’s affiliated publisher, Kogensha. Although the book itself is no longer in print, the Mainichi Shimbun confirmed the relevant quotes in the pamphlet, which is part of the National Diet Library collection in Tokyo.

Chapter three of the pamphlet, titled “The benefits of adoption,” emphasized the importance of adoption for Unification Church members. It outlined the perceived significance of adoptions for believers and provided guidance for families involved in adoption, both as adopters and adoptees. The chapter also detailed specific aspects of adoption, such as the assignment of maternity expenses and the criteria for families participating in adoption processes.

The ongoing investigation into the Unification Church’s adoption practices highlights concerns about the group’s potential legal violations and its role in facilitating adoptions within its community. As the probe continues, the focus remains on clarifying the nature of the church’s involvement and ensuring compliance with relevant laws.

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