Members of minority religion marching to protest unjust dissolution attempt by the Kishida administration
Tokyo, 7th October 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
It is about demonstrations in large cities on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu where members of the former Unification Church (now known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) expressing their strong opposition to what they view as an unfair or unjust order to dissolve their organization.
“We strongly oppose the unjust dissolution” – Members of the former Unification Church march in protest.
by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo
Prepared by Knut Holdhus
On the afternoon of 6th October 2024, the “Fukuoka Citizens’ Association for the Protection of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion”, organized by volunteers from the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), held a demonstration march through the busy streets around Fukuoka City Hall. About 400 people participated in the demonstration.
The demonstrators, along with campaign vehicles, appealed to the citizens with slogans such as “We strongly oppose Fukuoka City unjustly refusing without legal grounds to rent out public facilities.” and “We strongly oppose the unjust dissolution order against the Family Federation.”
At the same time, the “Kitakyushu Citizens’ Association for the Protection of Freedom of Religion” also held a demonstration march from Kitakyushu City Hall to Kokura Station, with about 150 participants.
The man leading the march emphasized, “We have not done anything wrong, so it is important to voice that.” A second-generation believer who participated said, “I want to continue working towards the realization of a society where freedom of religion is guaranteed.”
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Featured image: Participants in the demonstration that started in front of Fukuoka City Hall and marched through the downtown area of Fukuoka City, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on 6th October 2024. Photo: Sekai Nippo