The Tokyo District Court on Tuesday issued a dissolution order against the former Unification Church, ruling that its donation solicitation practices constituted civil law violations warranting dissolution.
The decision marks a major turning point in the controversies surrounding the organization, now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, which came under heightened scrutiny following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology had petitioned the court for the dissolution order, arguing that the church’s organized donation solicitations significantly deviated from the purpose of a religious corporation.
The church has announced its intention to appeal, and the legal battle could extend to the Supreme Court, local media Nikkei reported.
The trial, which lasted approximately 15 months, was conducted entirely behind closed doors. According to sources, five individuals, including current and former church members, testified about their experiences with donation solicitations, Nikkei reported.
If the dissolution order is finalized, the church will lose its legal corporate status and enter liquidation proceedings. While it will no longer receive tax exemptions, it can continue religious activities as a voluntary association.
The church’s controversies came to national attention following the fatal shooting of Abe. The suspect stated that his family had suffered financial ruin after his mother donated to the church, leading him to harbor resentment toward the organization.
