March 4, 2026 at 18:04 JST
The Tokyo High Court has ruled to maintain a lower court's decision mandating the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church. The court found that the organization's solicitation of significant donations has had detrimental effects on society.
In response to the ruling, the organization plans to file a special appeal with the Supreme Court. The court's decision allows for liquidation proceedings to commence under Japan's Religious Corporations Law. An attorney appointed by the Tokyo District Court will oversee the church's assets to facilitate compensation for victims affected by its fundraising practices.
Nobuya Fukumoto, representing the organization, expressed incredulity at the decision, stating, “This is unbelievable... How can something like this be permitted in a nation governed by the rule of law?” Nevertheless, he confirmed that the church would comply with liquidation processes while pursuing its appeal.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology initiated the dissolution request, citing the church's dubious financial practices. A ruling issued in March of the prior year stated that these practices "caused enormous harm," conditions that persist today.
The Unification Church originated in South Korea in 1954 and was recognized as a religious corporation in Japan in 1964. Over the decades, it garnered public scrutiny for practices including “spiritual sales,” wherein followers preyed on the vulnerabilities of others, claiming ancestral karma needed to be absolved through expensive purchases.
The 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reignited scrutiny of the organization due to the shooter's connection to the church, highlighting how its financial demands ruined his family.
The Ministry's further investigations revealed that since the 1980s, more than 1,500 individuals had collectively lost about 20.4 billion yen (approximately $130 million) due to the church’s solicitations.
Following this high court's ruling, discussions ensued around how the findings and implications of the dissolution will affect the church's operations and its victims. The church’s representatives released a statement, claiming that the dissolution order represents a continuation of grievances against them, ultimately concluding that the decision sets a troubling precedent regarding religious freedom and justice.