The Unification Church has been ordered to disband by a Tokyo court due to violations of religious laws, stemming from its financial exploitation of followers in connection with the assassination of Shinzo Abe.
Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Following Abe Assassination
Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Following Abe Assassination
Tokyo court takes decisive action against the controversial group amid financial misconduct revelations.
In a significant ruling on March 25, 2025, a Tokyo court mandated the disbandment of the Japanese branch of the Unification Church, a verdict resulting from a government investigation ignited by the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The shooter’s alleged grievances against the church raised serious concerns about its practices, leading to accusations of financial coercion against its members, including forcing them to make large donations to political causes.
The court's harsh decision to revoke the church's legal status came after the education ministry submitted a request in October 2023, following testimonies from around 1,550 former members who reported combined financial losses of approximately 20.4 billion yen (about $140 million). The Unification Church, notorious for its mass wedding ceremonies and founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, had long been scrutinized for its controversial teachings and financial dealings.
The church's troubles intensified after the tragic shooting incident, which saw Shinzo Abe shot during a public campaign event. The alleged shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, cited personal financial ruin stemming from his mother's involvement with the church, claiming it induced her to deplete her life savings. Currently in custody, Yamagami has confessed to the crime but awaits trial while maintaining his perceived connection between Abe's support for the church and his family's misfortunes.
As Japan grapples with the implications of this ruling, discussions about the church's practices and influence over its members and political affiliations are likely to intensify.
The court's harsh decision to revoke the church's legal status came after the education ministry submitted a request in October 2023, following testimonies from around 1,550 former members who reported combined financial losses of approximately 20.4 billion yen (about $140 million). The Unification Church, notorious for its mass wedding ceremonies and founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, had long been scrutinized for its controversial teachings and financial dealings.
The church's troubles intensified after the tragic shooting incident, which saw Shinzo Abe shot during a public campaign event. The alleged shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, cited personal financial ruin stemming from his mother's involvement with the church, claiming it induced her to deplete her life savings. Currently in custody, Yamagami has confessed to the crime but awaits trial while maintaining his perceived connection between Abe's support for the church and his family's misfortunes.
As Japan grapples with the implications of this ruling, discussions about the church's practices and influence over its members and political affiliations are likely to intensify.
