Faith Leaders Condemn Crackdown on Federation

Church seizures and dissolution order condemned at Tokyo religious freedom symposium as faith leaders speak out against authorities doing what communist states do

Tokyo, 28^th April 2026 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

U.S. Religious Leaders Criticize the Japanese Government

ICRF Holds Symposium on Dissolution of Family Federation

by editorial staff of Sekai Nippo

An organization of experts working to promote freedom of religion, the International Coalition for Religious Freedom (ICRF), held a symposium chaired by Wakō Higashi (東和空) in Tokyo on 27^th April on the theme of the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church). Following the Tokyo High Court’s dismissal on 4^th March of an immediate appeal against the dissolution order, criticism was raised over the situation in which church facilities across the country were seized on the same day.

See also Japan’s Treatment of Faith Headed to The Hague?

See also Shared Suppression: Blacks and Unificationists

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Archbishop George Stallings of the United States strongly condemned the Japanese government, saying it was “madness to think that the government knows better than believers what a church should be.” Expressing his concern, he added,

“At the core of religious freedom is the right to choose for oneself whom to worship. The idea that the government, rather than individuals, decides how much one should donate or contribute turns the government into a ‘monster’.”

He further appealed to religious leaders at the venue:

“If the government can dissolve the Family Federation, then you are next. We must pray together, stand together, and not overlook the actions of the government.”

Pastor Hiroshi Kurose (黒瀬博) of the Tokyo West Baptist Church emphasized,

“Closing church buildings and confiscating property are exactly what communist states have done – it is a national crime.”

Addressing members of the Family Federation, he urged,

“You should record your experiences for the future. Someday, people in the future will surely deliver a proper judgment.”

Participants from the Buddhist community also stated that “Japan’s religious world is in a dire state.” They expressed their views, including describing the Tokyo High Court’s decision as “judicial suicide”.

In addition, members of the Family Federation gave reports on the actual situation surrounding the dissolution. Kimihiro Okamitsu (岡光君啓), who is in charge of a church facility in Shinjuku, Tokyo, pointed out that not only access to church facilities but also believers’ marriages and funerals have been affected. He stated,

“It is a fundamental human right to wish to conduct life’s most important rites at the center of one’s faith.”

See also Japan’s Treatment of Faith Headed to The Hague?

See also Shared Suppression: Blacks and Unificationists

See also Solidarity Action by 150 U.S. Members in Tokyo

See also U.S. Pastors and Members Speak Out in Japan

See also Radebe Praises Mother Han’s Peace Leadership

See also Was the Appointment of Hostile Judge Deliberate?

Featured image above: Archbishop George Augustus Stallings speaking at a symposium of the International Coalition for Religious Freedom (ICRF), 27^th April 2026 in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀)

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