Japan Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy

Tue Sep 30 2025 12:52:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A historic ruling has been made in Japan, dissolving the Unification Church, which has faced intense scrutiny following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In a landmark decision, a Tokyo district court has ruled that the Unification Church, popularly known as the "Moonies," must disband due to allegations of manipulation and financial exploitation of its followers. The church, which has operated in Japan since the 1960s, is being forced to liquidate its assets and loses its tax-exempt status but is still permitted to continue its operations pending appeal.

The controversy surrounding the church escalated after the assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022, as his alleged assassin claimed the church’s financial practices negatively affected his family. Following investigations, Japan's education and culture ministry accused the church of coercing donations through intimidation related to followers' spiritual well-being. Nearly 200 former members have sought 5.7 billion yen in compensation for being victimized, shedding light on the church’s alleged practices. The scandal further ignited scrutiny of the connections between the Unification Church and Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, revealing that numerous lawmakers had extensive ties to the organization.

This ruling may serve as a tipping point for discussions on religious practices and accountability in Japan.

Japan's Unification Church Faces Major Ruling as Court Dissolves Entity