Victim of faith-based abduction speaks out after 12 years in captivity for his belief – Toru Goto demands an end to religious persecution in Japan
Tokyo, 9th June 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
Abduction and Confinement: “Also Rob You of Your Freedom of the Mind”
Lecture by Toru Goto in Okinawa
by the editorial department of the Sekai Nippo
prepared by Knut Holdhus
On 7th June, the Okinawa Citizens’ Association for the Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion, composed of members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), held a lecture in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture.
Toru Goto (後藤徹), who was confined for 12 years and 5 months by pastors and professional deprogrammers and pressured to renounce his faith, gave a talk emphasizing the importance of religious freedom.
Goto, who serves as the representative of the National Association of Victims of Abduction, Confinement, and Forced Religious De-Conversion, reflected on his ordeal, saying, “It was a despicable act that deprived me of all freedoms, including even the freedom of the mind. […] Even so, I could not abandon a faith more important to me than life itself.”
As a guest speaker, Pastor Ryuichi Sunagawa (砂川竜一) of Tsukishiro Christian Church (in Nanjo City) expressed remorse, saying, “I am deeply sorry that Christian pastors were involved in the persecution of the Family Federation.”
He then encouraged the believers gathered at the venue: “Never give up—no matter what happens, protect your freedom of faith.”
Featured image above: Toru Goto giving a lecture on the afternoon of 7th June 2025, in Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture. Photo: Yuya Kawase (川瀬裕也)