Ugly faith-breaking: Conference held in Japan September 23, 2024, shedding light on abductions, forcible detention and nasty coercion to abandon one’s faith
Tokyo, 24th September 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article
Abductions and Confinements Still Occur
Chiba Prefecture Conference on Freedom of Religion
by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo
prepared by Knut Holdhus
The “Symposium on Freedom of Religion” organized by the Chiba Prefecture Citizens’ Association for the Protection of Freedom of Religion and Human Rights was held on 23rd September 2024 in Chiba City. The event addressed the issue of forced renunciation of faith through abduction and confinement. About 200 members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) participated.
Hiroshi Ogasawara (小笠原裕), representing the organizers, stated, “Abduction and confinement targeting members of the Family Federation still occur today. This has led to deteriorating parent-child relationships, the onset of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and even suicides.” He further argued that if Japanese society continues to overlook these abductions and confinements, “it can be said that we are neglecting the freedom of religion, which is a cornerstone of democracy.”
Pastor Yoshihiro Iwamoto (岩本能弘), an independent pastor who broadcasts on YouTube, reflected on his time when he was a member of the United Church of Christ in Japan. He revealed that he thought pastors who were involved in helping believers leave the church were volunteers, but later learned they received large sums of money. Regarding the government’s request for a dissolution order against the Family Federation, Iwamoto, quoting from Christianity, said, “There is no shame in being persecuted and slandered for something you did not do.”
Dr. Hirohisa Koide (小出浩久), a victim of abduction and confinement, and non-fiction writer Masumi Fukuda (福田ますみ), raised concerns about the collusion between lawyers and Christian pastors in relation to abduction and confinement, pointing out that the media and the legal community are also involved.
According to the Family Federation, more than 4,300 members have been victims of abduction, confinement, and forced conversion since 1966.
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Featured image above: Pastor Yoshihiro Iwamoto (岩本能弘) delivering his speech 23rd September 2024 in Chuo Ward, Chiba City, Japan. Photo: Tsuyoshi Toyoda (豊田剛)