The Japanese government announced its intention to withdraw official recognition from the Unification Church, a powerful religious sect that has been under intense scrutiny since

the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida initiated an investigation into the church last year after it was revealed that Abe's alleged assassin had a grudge against the group. The Unification Church has faced allegations of pressuring its followers to make substantial donations and has been accused of child neglect among its members.

If the government's request for a court dissolution order is approved, the church will lose its status as a tax-exempt organization but will still be permitted to continue its religious activities.

Education Minister Masahito Moriyama stated, "In view of the extensive damage caused, we find that it falls under the grounds for ordering dissolution as stated in the religious corporations law." He added, "The church forced a number of people to contribute donations and buy items in a way that restricted their free decision-making and sabotaged their sound judgment." A panel of experts unanimously supported this decision.

The request for dissolution is expected to be filed with the Tokyo District Court once preparations are finalized, possibly as early as Friday.

Abe's assassination last year in broad daylight while giving a campaign speech in Nara was allegedly motivated by resentment towards the sect. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, held a grudge against the Unification Church due to large donations made by his mother that led to his family's bankruptcy. Yamagami could face the death penalty if convicted.

Investigations following Abe's death revealed close ties between the church and several conservative lawmakers in Japan. Four of Kishida's ministers have resigned over allegations of financial irregularities or links to the church.

Shinzo Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader and, although not a member of the church, had addressed an affiliated group. His assassination occurred on July 8, 2022, when he was shot while speaking to supporters near a train station in Nara.

The suspect, Yamagami, who faces murder and weapons charges, reportedly targeted Abe due to the former prime minister's ties to the sect, of which Yamagami's mother was a follower.

The suspect's uncle shared with local media that his nephew would sometimes seek help when his mother left her children alone and without food while attending church. He disclosed that she had donated 100 million yen (then around $1 million) to the group before declaring bankruptcy.

The Unification Church has confirmed the mother's membership but has not disclosed the exact amount of her donations.

Officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, the sect, whose members are informally referred to as "Moonies," was founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon. The church gained global prominence in the 1970s and '80s, with Japan serving as a significant financial hub for the organization. The Unification Church teaches Japanese believers that they need to atone for their country's wartime occupation of Korea. Photo by HQA02330, Wikimedia commons.