FFWPU’s Strong Rebuttal of Dissolution Order

Statement by Family Federation’s International HQ responding with a strong rebuttal of Japan’s dissolution order

A statement issued 29th March 2025 by the Family Federation’s international HQ regarding the corporate dissolution order against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Japan

See also statement by American movement

See also statement by European movement

On March 25, 2025, in response to a petition filed by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Tokyo District Court handed down its ruling that the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (hereinafter “Family Federation”) in Japan should be dissolved.

The World Mission Headquarters of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification expresses its strong regret regarding this ruling. This is a grave matter that cannot be overlooked, and we are deeply aware of the seriousness of this decision, which has completely disregarded the truth, conscience, and freedom of religion.

In 2019, some 50 people were killed in New Zealand in a terrorist attack targeting a specific religion. The Prime Minister of New Zealand at the time determined that the terrorist’s purpose was to gain notoriety and incite hatred against that religion, declaring, “We will give him nothing. Not even a name.” This resolute attitude and thorough response garnered worldwide attention.

On the other hand, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Abe in July 2022, the perpetrator’s alleged grudge against the Family Federation was reported without factual verification, resulting in his name becoming recognized worldwide. Despite his actions having terrorist overtones, biased reporting based on predictable media stereotypes helped build the perpetrator a support base among his own countrymen, while the Family Federation has received government censure. This has afforded the assassin significant benefits, and remarkably, even two years and eight months since Mr. Abe’s murder, no criminal proceedings have been announced.

The Japanese Family Federation has not been charged with any crime. In fact, until October 2022, the Japanese government consistently maintained that there were no grounds for dissolving the Family Federation, and there were almost no relevant complaints filed with consumer centers.

However, it was following the assassination that the incumbent Prime Minister reversed his position within just one day of having stated in an official parliamentary response that, “Civil law torts are not grounds for dissolution,” expanding the legal interpretation to include civil law violations as grounds for dissolution.

So far, the Japanese Family Federation has faithfully implemented church reform. Even including civil lawsuits for personal claims, most of the judgments concern incidents from more than 15 years ago, with the average dating back 32 years. In addition, most of the cases have already been resolved with compensation.

When considering these facts comprehensively, it is evident that the Japanese Family Federation not only fails to merit a corporate dissolution order, but also that certain politicians and bureaucrats have targeted it for state-sponsored persecution. This constitutes a serious human rights violation contrary to international law and constitutional principles. The United Nations has raised concerns and made recommendations to the Japanese government on three occasions, stating that religious freedom should not be infringed upon under the pretext of “public welfare”. The Japanese government ignored these, however, and proceeded with the decision. This represents a serious betrayal of the United Nations and the international community.

Moreover, allegations of evidence tampering during the hearings pursuant to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s request for a dissolution order have alarmed the international community.

Japanese parliamentarians have raised suspicions about the possibility that evidence submitted to court proceedings by the Ministry’s representatives was fabricated, but the Ministry’s Agency for Cultural Affairs merely repeats that it “cannot comment on matters pending in court.” These parliamentarians emphasized that “it is significant that allegations of manipulation or fabrication have not been denied” and demanded relevant documentation – which the Agency for Cultural Affairs refused to provide. If these allegations prove true, it will constitute a serious challenge to Japan’s constitutional and legal order. The international community, as well as numerous just and reasonable Japanese politicians and leaders, will not tolerate such injustice.

The social discrimination, persecution, and human rights violations against Japanese Family Federation members have reached a serious level. Since the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe, and following the filing of the dissolution order request, the suffering of members in Japan has been beyond our imagination.

Cases of dismissal due to someone’s identity as a church member being exposed in the media, being refused employment for having graduated from a Family Federation-affiliated university, and cases of blatant slander during school classes and even during exams have left members and their children deeply wounded in heart. There have even been reports of couples being forced divorce due to faith conflicts within families, violence and confiscation of property, termination of housing contracts, refusal of medical treatment, and even instances of young people committing suicide due to psychological distress caused by distorted media coverage.

As a result, Japanese Family Federation members have become victims who are socially isolated and persecuted by their own government despite following a legitimate path of faith. Freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly and association are fundamental rights that must be guaranteed to all people. In an advanced nation such as Japan, the infringement of basic religious rights – to have a faith, and to pray – based only on one’s belief in a particular religion cannot be justified.

There are concerns that the court’s decision may lead to even more serious social problems in a chain reaction. Indeed, there are growing voices in the international community questioning the status of religious freedom in Japan. The U.S. State Department has pointed out that the Japanese government’s use of civil litigation to justify dissolution contradicts the common sense and norms of liberal democratic nations. Religious freedom advocates worldwide are moreover strongly critical of the outcome as an abuse of legal procedures and an infringement of fundamental human rights.

In February of this year, at the 2025 International Religious Freedom Summit held in Washington, D.C., U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said,

“Part of our [government’s] protecting religious freedom initiatives means recognizing, in our foreign policy, the difference between regimes that respect religious freedom and those that do not.”

This represents a strong commitment to the active protection of religious freedom.

Furthermore, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich strongly criticized this case as the Japanese government’s attempt, beyond its constitution, to destroy the Japanese Family Federation. He stated that,

“The Biden administration has already condemned this activity. The United Nations has already condemned this activity. And now, with President Trump, we have somebody who is deeply, passionately committed to religious liberty.”

He also warned of international repercussions, saying,

“This is going to have grave consequences for the United States’ relationship with Japan.”

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed concern that this precedent could undermine Japan’s position as a defender of freedom in Asia and advance the interests of those who oppose the U.S. and Japan’s shared commitment to human dignity and religious freedom.

Family Federation members worldwide strongly support the Japanese Family Federation as it prepares for an appeal. At the same time, we are deeply concerned that some Japanese politicians and their bureaucratic followers are pursuing private and political interests, which is damaging to the traditions and spirit of Japan as a free and democratic nation. We expect the Japanese government and judiciary to make an impartial and fair judgment in strict compliance with international law and their own constitution.

March 29, 2025

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification World Mission Headquarters

See also statement by American movement

See also statement by European movement

Related to strong rebuttal of dissolution orde: “Poorly Compiled Evidence Including Falsehoods”

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Huge Scandal: “Ministry Is Falsifying Affidavits”

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: “Outrageous Verdict Allows State Persecution”

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Dissolution: The Danger of Secretive Proceedings

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Japan’s New Laws to Curb New Religious Movements

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: New Law Designed to Bankrupt Family Federation

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Religious Faith Framed as Mental Health Concern

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Terms from Consumer Law Used to Rob Faith

And also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: New Law Manufacturing “Victims”, Dividing Families

And also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Maverick Minister Lets “3 Foxes in the Henhouse”

More, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Journalist Reveals Ugly Leftwing Conspiracy

And more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Militant Lawyers Dictate Government Policy

And more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Courts Using Debunked Concepts Against Minority

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Dissolution Case: Wild Claims, Illegal Actions

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: 2nd-Generation Members Protesting Persecution

Also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Inhuman Government-Supported Mass Deprogramming

And also related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Bias: No Right to Respond for Religious Minority

More, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Collusion to Rob Minority of Its Rights

And more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: State and Media Creating “Today’s Non-Citizens”

Still more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Japan Criticized for Glaring Rights Violations

Even more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Two European Scholars Warning Japan

And yet more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Japan Censured at Religious Freedom Event

And still more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Lawyer Exposes Dirty Leftwing Plot

And even more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Inhuman Government-Supported Mass Deprogramming

And still more, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Malicious One-Sided Government Source Selection

More, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Government’s Foul Play Pointed Out

More, related to strong rebuttal of dissolution order: Kishida Has Opened Can of Worms