2nd-gen believers rally for religious freedom outside the National Parliament in Tokyo to protest the dissolution order and being robbed of the places they love and truly feel at home
Tokyo, 7th May 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
“Please Don’t Rob Us of the Places We Belong”
Second-Generation Members of the Family Federation Appeal in Front of the National Diet Building
by the editorial department of the Sekai Nippo
prepared by Knut Holdhus
On 6th May, second-generation members opposing the Tokyo District Court‘s ruling to issue a dissolution order for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) held a public appeal in front of the National Diet Building in Nagatacho, Tokyo. They pleaded, “Please don’t rob us of the places we belong!”
On the final day of the three-day campaign, approximately 200 believers gathered despite the rainy weather.
If the dissolution order is executed, the organization’s assets will be confiscated. The believers expressed concern that without church facilities, worship and gatherings would be restricted, and they called for the protection of their freedom of religion and the place where they belong.
One speaker who took the microphone said, “Thanks to my parents’ faith, I learned gratitude and compassion.”
He emphasized that the teachings of the Family Federation have been a guiding principle in his life. He asserted that he was raised and supported by teachings that value family bonds.
A believer who took part in one of the mass weddings of the religious organization said, “I got married with the determination to make someone happy for life. It wasn’t forced – I chose it of my own will.”
The members urged the audience, “Please don’t judge us with prejudice, but hear directly from us what we have to say!”
Among the second-generation participants listening under umbrellas, some were seen holding back tears.
Featured image above: Second-generation believers campaigning in front of the National Diet Building 6th May 2025, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Photo: Fuzumi Yamada (山田芙珠美)