Japanese Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy

Tue Oct 21 2025 21:18:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**Japanese Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy**

A Tokyo district court has ruled against the Unification Church, prompting scrutiny and discussions on its operations.

In a significant ruling, a Japanese court has ordered the disbandment of the Unification Church, commonly known as the "Moonies." This decision arose after the church faced accusations of manipulating its followers for financial gain, particularly following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose ties to the church were cited by the alleged assassin as a motivation for the crime. The ruling will revoke the church's tax-exempt status and mandate asset liquidation, although an appeal is possible. The church has maintained that its fundraising efforts are legitimate religious practices.

The Unification Church, founded in South Korea, has been part of Japan's religious landscape since the 1960s. The recent court investigations uncovered troubling practices, such as coercing members to make sizable donations while exploiting their fears regarding spiritual welfare. Reports indicate that around 200 former members are currently seeking a total of 5.7 billion yen ($38.5 million) in compensation for alleged coercive donation practices.

The church's history of controversy has intensified since Abe's assassination, revealing deep connections between the sect and members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). An internal LDP review disclosed that nearly half of its lawmakers had associations with the church, sparking debates on the influence of religious organizations in politics. The court's ruling marks a pivotal moment in Japan's ongoing conversation about the intersection of religion and governance.