The Japanese government announced on Thursday its intention to seek a court order to dissolve the Unification Church, a controversial religious organization that has come under increased scrutiny following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida initiated a government investigation into the sect last year after it was revealed that Abe’s alleged assassin had been motivated by resentment against the group.
The Unification Church has faced accusations of pressuring its followers into making substantial donations and has been held responsible for cases of child neglect among its members.
Education Minister Masahito Moriyama stated, “We intend to request a dissolution order under the religious corporations law” during a meeting with a panel of experts on Thursday.
If the court orders the dissolution of the church, it would lose its status as a tax-exempt organization while still being allowed to continue its religious practices. A formal decision to request the court order will be made by the ministry after the panel concludes its meeting.
Reports from local media suggest that the government plans to file the request with the Tokyo District Court as early as the following day, which indicates a sense of urgency in addressing the matter.
The background to this action stems from the assassination of Shinzo Abe, who was gunned down in broad daylight while delivering a campaign speech in the western Nara region last year.
The suspected assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, is believed to have harbored resentment against the Unification Church due to substantial donations his mother had made to the organization, which had reportedly led to financial difficulties for his family. This incident brought increased attention to the group and raised concerns about its practices and influence.