Legal experts hold Tokyo press conference demanding fair trial standards as they speak out against the lower court ruling and express concerns over judicial transparency
Tokyo, 7th August 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
Experts Raise Doubts About Court Proceedings
Order to Dissolve Family Federation: Statement Demands Fair Trial
by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo
Prepared by Knut Holdhus
On 6th August, a group called the “Association of Experts Demanding a Fair and Just Trial”, consisting of lawyers, scholars, writers, and religious figures, held a press conference in Tokyo. They issued a statement calling on the Tokyo High Court to conduct a fair and impartial trial in the case regarding the dissolution order against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church).
The statement raised several concerns:
- The Tokyo District Court based its dissolution decision on civil lawsuits from over 30 years ago.
- The ruling relied on “assumed” harm not supported by evidence.
- Government-submitted documents may contain falsifications or fabrications.
- The closed nature of the hearings infringes upon the constitutional right to a public trial. Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹), an international lawyer and representative of the group, explained, “People who cannot stay silent about what’s happening in Japan have signed this statement.”
He appealed, saying, “We want the court to hear the voices of experts from both inside and outside Japan.”
Seven experts, including Nakayama – none of whom are members of the religious organization – appeared at the press conference and voiced various criticisms of the Tokyo District Court’s handling of the case.
Seishiro Sugihara (杉原誠四郎), professor at former Musashino Women’s University, said, “The trial should be based on verified facts, but only the alleged victims’ claims are being considered. The principle of trial by evidence is not being upheld.”
Masaki Nakamasa (仲正昌樹), professor at Kanazawa University, pointed out, “They haven’t even tried to listen to current members. The trial process seems flawed.”
Non-fiction writer Masumi Fukuda (福田ますみ) emphasized, “Testimonies from former believers who left the religious organization after being abducted and confined were used as grounds for dissolution. This is a state-manufactured ‘fabrication’.”
According to the association, as of 6th August, a total of 356 experts have endorsed the statement, with 104 publicly revealing their names on the website of the association. It plans to continue collecting signatures until the end of August.
Featured image above: Tatsuki Nakayama (center), international lawyer and representative of “Association of Experts Demanding a Fair and Just Trial”, speaks at a press conference in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on the afternoon of 6th August.