Japanese Court Upholds Dissolution Order Against Unification Church

A Japanese appeals court has upheld an order to dissolve the controversial Unification Church, rejecting the group’s attempt to overturn a lower court ruling.

The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday denied the church’s appeal, affirming last year’s decision by the Tokyo District Court to disband the organisation following accusations that it manipulated followers into making excessive financial donations.

Japan’s education and culture ministry had argued that the group coerced members into contributing vast sums under the guise of religious devotion. The church maintained that such donations were legitimate religious activities, but the appeals court dismissed that defence.

The Unification Church — often referred to as the “Moonies” — faced heightened scrutiny after the 2022 assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe. The gunman, Tetsuya Yamagami, said he targeted Abe due to perceived links between the politician and the church, which he blamed for financially ruining his family. Yamagami, 45, was sentenced to life imprisonment in January and has since appealed.

The dissolution order is unprecedented in Japan for a religious organisation over a civil offence. While it strips the church of its tax-exempt status and requires asset liquidation, it does not prohibit the group from continuing religious activities.

With the appeal rejected, the order is expected to take immediate effect, though the church may still challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.

Founded by the late Sun Myung Moon, who was regarded by followers as a messianic figure, the church has long been controversial. Investigations following Abe’s assassination uncovered ties between the organisation and numerous conservative lawmakers, intensifying public and political scrutiny.

According to the district court’s earlier ruling, the church collected approximately 20.4 billion yen (about $130m) from more than 1,500 individuals.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said government agencies have been instructed to work on relief measures for victims, expressing hope that the liquidation process would proceed under court supervision to ensure swift compensation.