Protesting extremely biased media coverage and human rights violations that include abductions and forcible confinement of up to 12 years of members of large religious minority
Tokyo, 27th January 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
“The Worst Human Rights Violations Since the War”
Illegal Detention and Forced Renunciation of Faith Condemned in Yokohama
by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo
Prepared by Knut Holdhus
A gathering was held on 26th January in Yokohama City protesting the illegal acts of abduction, confinement, and forced renunciation of faith involving over 4,300 believers of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church). The event condemned the involvement of “faith-breakers” and Christian pastors in these actions. There were more than 100 participants, including Buddhist representatives.
The event was organized by the “Association of Residents of Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama for the Protection of Freedom of Religion and Human Rights”. Senator Satoshi Hamada (浜田聡) of the NHK Party and Toru Goto (後藤徹), who was a victim of abduction and confinement for 12 years and 5 months, gave speeches.
Goto condemned these acts of forced renunciation of faith as “the worst human rights violation in postwar Japan”, explaining that they strip individuals of their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. He emphasized that such actions deprive people of fundamental spiritual freedoms, including freedom of thought and conscience (Article 19), freedom of religion (Article 20), and freedom of expression (Article 21). Additionally, they violate economic freedoms, such as the inviolability of property rights (Article 29), and physical freedoms, including freedom from unlawful detention and torture (Article 18) and the right to due process (Article 31).
Sharing his harrowing experiences, Goto announced that he would soon publish a book titled “Deadly Struggle: Surviving 4,536 Days of Confinement” to bring these issues to wider public attention.
MP Hamada addressed these human rights violations, specifically naming Takashi Miyamura (宮村峻), a well-known “faith-breaker”, and pointing out his ties to certain political parties. Hamada questioned the fairness of media coverage, citing Article 4 of the Broadcasting Act, which mandates broadcasters to ensure accuracy and impartiality in their reporting. Hamada has raised these concerns through written inquiries and in the House of Councillors’ General Affairs Committee, where he questioned the fairness of media coverage.
He expressed his intention to continue submitting written inquiries in the current Diet session, arguing that they reflect a certain degree of public opinion.
At the venue, members of the Family Federation showcased panels depicting the realities of abduction and confinement. They explained that perpetrator groups frame such acts as “protective persuasion” by family members. Biased media coverage has prevented the issue from gaining broader recognition as a social problem.
Featured image above: Senator Satoshi Hamada (浜田聡, House of Councillors, NHK Party) – to the right – speaking at a gathering about the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) on 26th January 2025, in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. To the left: Toru Goto (後藤徹) who spoke about his experiences as a victim of abduction and confinement. Photo: Yasuhiro Uno (宇野泰弘)