“Freedom of faith at risk,” Family Federation warns in Osaka rally as many march in defense of religious liberty and family values
Tokyo, 29th September 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
“Freedom of Religion Is the Pillar of Democracy,” Says Family Federation President Tanaka
1,800 Gather at Osaka Rally
by the editorial staff of Sekai Nippo
prepared by Knut Holdhus
A rally calling attention to the crisis facing freedom of religion and democracy was held in Osaka on 28th September, drawing about 1,800 followers of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church). Family Federation President Tomihiro Tanaka (田中富広) emphasized that “the central pillars of democracy are freedom of thought, belief, and religion, as well as the value of the family.” He warned that Japan’s democracy is being threatened by what he described as “cultural communism” [See editor’s note 1 below], which seeks to transform the nation’s culture by dismantling the family and prioritizing the individual.
Following the rally, about 1,200 people marched through Osaka’s main streets to appeal for religious freedom. They voiced concerns that the Tokyo District Court’s March decision to issue a dissolution order for the religious organization reflected only the opinions of those opposed to it, calling out, “We demand a fair trial.” Participants also urged passersby to look at the current reality of the Family Federation, rather than the negative image shaped by the media.
Speaking to reporters, President Tanaka explained that followers are expressing anxiety over whether they will “have a place to belong” [See editor’s note 2 below] if the organization is dissolved. He added that “the government has no answers to such specific concerns,” describing the difficult situation the religious organization now faces.
Featured image above: Demonstrators in Osaka, Japan 28th September 2025 protesting against the dissolution order for the Family Federation. Photo: FFWPU
[Editor’s note 1: The phrases “cultural Communism” and “cultural Marxism” originally referred to a school of thought influenced by Marxist theory, especially the Frankfurt School (e.g., Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Herbert Marcuse). These thinkers adapted Marxist analysis of power and oppression to culture rather than just economics.
Instead of focusing only on workers vs. capitalists, they examined how culture, media, education, and ideology reproduce social hierarchies (class, race, gender, etc.).
In academia, it developed into critical theory, cultural studies, and post-Marxist thought.]
[Editor’s note 2: The phrase “a place to belong” refers to the anxiety and uncertainty that members of the Family Federation (formerly the Unification Church) feel about losing their religious community and support system due to the court-ordered dissolution of the organization.
For many believers, their faith is closely tied to a community where they worship, engage in volunteer work, and share a common identity. The dissolution order threatens to take away this communal space, making them feel displaced or without a spiritual “home”. The article highlights how members are concerned that their sense of belonging, religious practices, and way of life will be significantly disrupted.]