Believer in Senate Race: Focus on Faith, Family

Believer from persecuted faith announces his candidacy for upcoming Senate race, championing religious freedom and the importance of family

Tokyo, 3rd June 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

Active Member of the Family Federation to Run for Office in Chiba Electoral District in House of Councillors (Upper House) Election, Appealing for Believers’ Freedom

by the editorial department of the Sekai Nippo

See also In Election Bid Citing Faith, Family, and Freedom

Hiroshi Ogasawara (小笠原裕) (62), an active member of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) and a resident of Yachiyo City, Chiba Prefecture, held a press conference in Chiba City on 2^nd June to announce his candidacy for this summer’s House of Councillors election, running in the Chiba constituency. Ogasawara criticized the dissolution order against the Family Federation, calling it “a decision driven by highly political motives” and argued that it was “a violation of the Constitution infringing on freedom of religion”.

He plans to run as a candidate from the political group he founded last year, Association to Protect Japanese Families. His campaign will emphasize “freedom of religion” and also advocate for adding constitutional provisions to protect families, as well as correcting what he describes as “excessive” LGBT policies, based on the belief that “when thinking about 50 or 100 years into the future, the most important thing is to protect families.”

He stated that he had not received support from the religious organization and had made the decision to run on his own.

The Chiba constituency has three seats up for election. At the candidate briefing session held by the Chiba Prefectural Election Commission on 30^th May, 14 groups, including three incumbents, participated, suggesting a highly competitive race.

See also In Election Bid Citing Faith, Family, and Freedom

Featured image above:  Hiroshi Ogasawara announces his candidacy at a press conference – afternoon of 2^nd June 2025, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀)

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