Han Hak-ja, leader of the Unification Church, appears at the Seoul Central District Court, Sept. 22, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of her arrest over charges of bribery linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee. Korea Times photo by Park Si-mon
A Japanese court upheld an order to dissolve the Unification Church over its controversial fundraising practices, clearing the way for liquidation proceedings against the religious group years after the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe brought its activities under renewed scrutiny.
According to public broadcaster NHK, the Tokyo High Court on Tuesday upheld a lower court decision ordering the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, more widely known as the Unification Church.
The court said the group had encouraged its followers to solicit large donations through fundraising methods that could constitute illegal acts, causing substantial financial losses and psychological distress to many people.
Judges said it was difficult to expect the organization to establish measures to prevent such illegal acts, adding that dissolution was therefore inevitable. NHK reported that the ruling marks the third instance a Japanese court ordered the dissolution of a religious group of its legal status as a religious corporation, and first time such a decision was based on illegal acts under civil law.
The ruling took effect immediately, allowing the liquidation process to begin. A court-nominated trustee will now investigate, dispose of the group’s assets and oversee compensation to victims.
Officials of the Japanese branch of the church will be required to step down, while the group will lose its legal status as a religious corporation, along with related tax benefits.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said in a press conference that day that the government’s position has been recognized by the court and instructed relevant ministries to continue efforts to support victims.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a video address at an event hosted by organizations affiliated with the Unification Church on Sept. 12, 2021. Korea Times file
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Source: Korea Times News
