Family Federation leader slams dissolution order, claiming being robbed of assets represents being robbed of freedom of religion and human rights
Tokyo, 28th March 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
“Being Robbed of” Rights and Freedoms
Family Federation President Holds Press Conference at Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Tokyo
by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo
prepared by Knut Holdhus
Tomihiro Tanaka (田中富広), president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), which was ordered to be dissolved by the Tokyo District Court, held a press conference on 27th March at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo.
Tanaka expressed his strong dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling, stating, “It is extremely regrettable that our claims were not recognized.” He reiterated his belief that there is no valid reason for the dissolution of the Family Federation.
During the Q&A session, when asked whether the organization could continue its religious activities even without its corporate status, Tanaka responded, “If it were only about freedom of thought, that might be true. However, freedom of religion also includes the right to preach and hold gatherings.”
He emphasized that if the dissolution leads to the confiscation of the organization‘s assets, “it would make it impossible for us to take action to protect our human rights.”
He also pointed out that some local governments have declared a severance of ties with the organization, and stated, “This situation goes beyond just religious freedom – believers are even being deprived of their right to live.”
Regarding media coverage of the organization, Tanaka argued that “some reports were distorted or maliciously presented”, suggesting that biased information has spread throughout society.
Norishige Kondo (近藤徳茂), Deputy Director of the Legal Affairs Office at the Family Federation headquarters, who attended the press conference, explained that since the religious organization’s compliance declaration [See editor’s note below] in 2009, the number of lawsuits has significantly decreased, a fact that was “clearly acknowledged” in the court’s decision.
On the other hand, he criticized the ruling for including assumptions about “potential harm that may exist even if it is not visible,” stating that it involved speculation in recognizing alleged illegal activities. He also expressed concern that the revocation of corporate status was carried out through a process with “sloppy standards”, saying, “I feel a strong sense of unease about this.”
[Editor’s note: The 2009 compliance declaration of the Unification Church of Japan (now the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) was a formal commitment by the organization to reform its practices in response to longstanding public criticism and legal challenges.
The Unification Church in Japan had faced numerous allegations related to recruitment tactics and donation solicitation, termed “spiritual sales” (霊感商法) by a hostile network of activist lawyers who had declared the religious organization an enemy. These issues led to multiple lawsuits orchestrated by the activist lawyers and significant media backlash. This prompted the organization to take measures to restore its reputation and demonstrate compliance with legal and ethical standards.
The religious organization pledged to stop possibly unethical donation practices, including what the hostile network of lawyers claimed amounted to “pressuring members into making large financial contributions under spiritual pretexts.”
This was in response to accusations from the same activist lawyers that followers “were being manipulated into giving away substantial amounts of money or property.”
The Unification Church stated it would enhance internal oversight to ensure ethical and legal standards compliance. Measures included better leadership training and stricter guidelines for evangelization and donation solicitation.
After this compliance declaration, there was a significant decrease in the number of lawsuits against the Unification Church – since 2015 called the Family Federation. The religious organization has used this as evidence that it has improved its practices and should not be subject to dissolution.]
Featured image above: To the right: Tomihiro Tanaka ((田中富広)), President of the Family Federation in Japan, speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on the afternoon of 27th March in Tokyo. To the left: Norishige Kondo (近藤徳茂) Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀).