Japanese court orders dissolution of Unification Church: How is it linked to Shinzo Abe's assassination?

Japan's court has ordered dissolution of unification church

A Japanese court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church and revoked its legal status after a government request tied to the investigation of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's 2022 assassination.

The unification church is a controversial South Korean religious group it is facing the loss of its tax-exempt status in Japan and will be forced to liquidate its assets.

The court's ruling comes after accusations of manipulative fundraising and recruitment tactics that caused harm to followers and their families.

The church is considering appealing this decision in Japan's highest court.

Families are filing lawsuits on the church that it has asked that its pressured members into draining their savings for donations. The church has strong political connections mainly with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that has been saving the church since long time.

How is 'Moonies' church is related to Abe's assassination? 

The dynamics for the church changes after Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe was assassinated. A man who blamed the Church for bankruptcy as his donated excessive wealth. This tragedy sparked huge outrage against the church’s practices and the investigations renewed.

The investigation related to Abe’s assassination revealed that there were deep political ties between the church and Japan’s government.

Abe was himself known for his conservative views and had attended events linked to the church.

What is Unification Church?

The Unification church is founded in Seoul in 1954 by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, it is known for its staunch anti-communist stance and efforts toward Korean unification.

The church is perhaps most famous for its mass wedding ceremonies, where couples from different countries are paired together. Moon, who died in 2012 after serving time for tax evasion, cultivated relationships with prominent world leaders, including U.S. presidents and North Korea’s Kim Il Sung.

With millions of members worldwide, including a significant number in Japan, the church has long been accused of manipulating its followers and exploiting them financially. Experts claim that Japanese members are pressured to donate money to atone for Japan's colonial past.

The church is now the first religious group in Japan to be ordered dissolved under the nation's civil code, further complicating its already controversial legacy.