The symposium in Hiroshima, Japan focuses on how teachings are practiced for society to benefit
Tokyo, 20th May 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article
The Unification Movement Has Played a Role: Symposium in Hiroshima
by the editorial department of the Sekai Nippo
A symposium titled “The Role Played by the Unification Movement (統一運動) and Its Prospects for the Future”, hosted by the Hiroshima Prefecture Ambassadors for Peace Council was held on 19th May 2024 in Hiroshima City, with about 100 local members participating. Seishiro Sugihara (杉原誠), a former professor at Musashino Women’s University (武蔵野女子大) who spoke at the event, praised an affiliated political organization of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) for its “courageous actions, such as speaking out publicly against the errors of communism.”
Sugihara emphasized that the request by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for a dissolution order against the Family Federation is a serious matter, stating, “Freedom of religion is one of the pillars of the state, and dissolving a religious organization is not a simple matter.” He argued that hearings being conducted behind closed doors “should not happen in a rule-of-law society. Holding closed hearings would be unconstitutional.”
Attorney Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹) pointed out, “The Unification Movement puts good teachings into practice for the benefit of society, but this is not being conveyed.” He analyzed that friction arose because the movement engaged in activities beyond its means.
Shunsuke Uotani (魚谷俊輔), Secretary General of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Japan, explained that the UPF is registered as an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and operates to contribute to society and achieve world peace. He stated, “The accusation that the Family Federation is a dummy organization stems from religious ignorance.”
The organizers urged people to observe the activities of the Family Federation and the UPF and judge for themselves “what is true and factual, without being swayed by reports”. Then it is easy to see whether the two organizations are anti-social or not.
Featured image above Seishiro Sugihara (center) flanked by Tatsuki Nakayama (left) and Shunsuke Uotani (right) on the panel on May 19, 2024, in Hiroshima City, Japan. Photo: Takeshi Toyoda (豊田剛) / Sekai Nippo.
Seishiro Sugihara was born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1941. He completed his master’s degree program at the Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo in 1967. He has been a professor at Josai University [a private university in Saitama] and Musashino Women’s University (now Musashino University – in Tokyo). His publications include “Ideal Separation of Religion and Politics and Constitutional Amendment” (理想の政教分離規定と憲法改正 –Jiyusha, 2015). He has co-authored works such as “The Disease Called Yoshida Shigeru” (吉田茂という病 – published in 2011).