What Now Happens in Japan Could Happen Anywhere

Investigative reporter shows what now happens in Japan – vicious persecution of the Family Federation – “is an attack on all religious freedom” and could happen to other faiths anywhere

Prepared by Knut Holdhus

World Religion NewsWorld Religion News—an online platform that offers news focusing on different religions—published an article headlined “Persecution of the Unification Church in Japan Is an Attack on All Religious Freedom” on 12 December 2024.

It is authored by investigative reporter Logan H. Merrill and delves into the ongoing persecution of the Family Federation – formerly the Unification Church – in Japan. According to Merrill, the attacks on the religious minority are sparking global concern about the government’s involvement in religious affairs. This controversy ignited after the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 8th July 2022 and has since escalated into a broader attack on religious freedom.

The accused assassin claimed dissatisfaction with Abe’s alleged support for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Steven Hassan, a self-proclaimed “cult expert”, quickly capitalized on the tragedy. Within a day, he suggested via social media that the alleged shooter’s motives stemmed from grievances against the Family Federation. Hassan, an American who has long been involved in anti-religious activities, used the incident to disseminate misinformation about the federation, labeling it a “scam” and promoting his own agenda.

Logan H. Merrill, who specializes in covering media and ethics, human rights, and psychiatric abuse, explains how this anti-Family Federation sentiment quickly gained traction. By September 2022, under public and media pressure fueled by Hassan’s campaign, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to sever political ties with the federation, framing it as a “controversial organization”. This decision marked a troubling shift: rather than condemning the assassin’s actions, the focus turned to vilifying the alleged motivation behind them. The blame was misdirected at the Family Federation itself, leading to heightened scrutiny and investigations.

By October 2022, the Japanese government launched an official inquiry into the federation’s activities. In December, legislation was passed to restrict religious entities from soliciting funds by exploiting members’ anxieties or spiritual beliefs. While seemingly targeting unethical practices, the law’s implications were seen as disproportionately aimed at the Family Federation, raising concerns about religious discrimination.

Rev. Tomihiro Tanaka, the head of the Japanese branch of the Family Federation, condemned these actions as “religious persecution”. He highlighted the minority religion’s plight, which included threats, harassment, and disruption of its activities. Tanaka accused the media and lawmakers of fostering a hostile environment, leading to public unrest against members of the Family Federation.

A Broader Pattern of Persecution

World Religion News describes that the campaign against the Family Federation in Japan is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy orchestrated by figures like Steven Hassan. Trained by Ted Patrick, the infamous “father” of deprogramming, Hassan has a long history of using coercive tactics against religious groups. Deprogramming often involves physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological manipulation – practices that have caused immense harm to individuals and families.

Hassan’s anti-religious rhetoric is not confined to Japan. In recent years, he has collaborated with anti-religion initiatives in China, a nation notorious for its systematic suppression of religious freedoms. In 2017, Hassan contributed to the Chinese government’s anti-religion website, aligning himself with a regime accused of genocide and crimes against humanity. By engaging with pro-China activists, Hassan further demonstrated his willingness to support oppressive regimes in their efforts to undermine religious liberty.

The Financial Motive Behind Persecution

The World Religion News piece also mentions investigative journalist Masumi Fukuda uncovered troubling details about the motivations behind Japan’s actions against the Family Federation. Over 4,300 members have reportedly been abducted and forced to renounce their faith, often through torture or deception. Once deprogrammed, these individuals were encouraged to sue the federation for damages, creating a lucrative cycle for lawyers and deprogrammers involved in the process.

Fukuda compared these methods to Japan’s historical persecution of Christians during the 17th century. Back then, authorities demanded that Christians trample on religious images to prove their abandonment of faith. Today, former members of the Family Federation are similarly pressured to file lawsuits to demonstrate their disassociation from the religious organization. Fukuda’s findings implicate the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales, a group with ties to Communist ideologies, in orchestrating these campaigns.

Global Implications

In his article, Logan H. Merrill emphasizes that the persecution of the Family Federation has drawn international attention. Organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Committee criticizes Japan for its failure to protect religious freedoms. Since 2014, the committee has repeatedly urged Japan to address forced abductions and faith-breaking targeting new religious movements. These actions set a dangerous precedent, raising questions about the universal right to freedom of belief.

The Family Federation’s membership includes prominent individuals such as David Eaton, music director of the New York City Symphony, and Jonathan Wells (1942-2024), a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute. Notable supporters of the federation have included figures like Newt Gingrich and Ralph Abernathy (1926-1990), who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1928-1969). These affiliations underscore the Family Federation’s diverse and influential network, further highlighting the broader implications of its persecution.

A Call to Defend Religious Freedom

The situation in Japan serves as a stark reminder of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The assault on the Family Federation is not just an attack on one faith but a challenge to the principle of religious freedom itself. If such persecution can occur in Japan, a democratic nation, it raises concerns about the safety of religious practices worldwide.

Defending the rights of the Family Federation is about more than protecting a single organization. It is a stand for the fundamental freedoms that underpin democratic societies. Religious liberty must remain an inalienable right, safeguarded against the forces of discrimination and oppression. The fate of the Family Federation in Japan serves as a cautionary tale: what happens there could happen anywhere, threatening the freedoms we all hold dear.

Featured image above: Graffiti sprayed on Family Federation property in Japan in 2022 as part of vicious persecution. Photo: FFWPU