Unification Church loses legal status in Japan after court ruling
The decision of the court in Tokyo deprives the Unification Church of its religious organization status, following a request by the central government.
The Japanese court in Tokyo decided to dissolve the Unification Church at the central government's request. This information was relayed to the Kyodo agency by a source close to the organization, which had been criticized for pressuring its followers to make large donations.
The court's ruling means that the Unification Church will lose its status as a religious organization, which involves the loss of preferential tax regulations. Despite this, the organization will be able to continue its activities in Japan.
According to Japanese law, authorities can request the dissolution of a religious organization if its activities cause significant harm to the public good.
Background of the decision
The Unification Church came into the spotlight after the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The perpetrator was a man whose mother fell into serious financial trouble due to high donations made to the Church. After this incident, it was revealed that some members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had ties to this organization.
The court's decision is the result of long-standing controversies surrounding the activities of the Unification Church, which for years has stirred many emotions in Japan. Authorities have taken steps to limit the organization's influence on society, which has met with various reactions in the country.
