Former Member Decries Wild Claims by Activists

In interview former second-generation member denounces outrageous claims by activists given ample space by media

Tokyo, 7th October 2024 – Published as the 30th article in a series in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article

Series: Freedom of Religion Under Threat – Part 5: The Distorted Image of the “Second-Generation”

Feeling Uneasy about Being Labeled as “Victims” After Leaving the Faith

by the Religious Freedom Investigative Team of the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

See part 1: The Kishida Administration’s Reckless Actions: 1st article, 2nd article, 3rd article, 4th article, 5th article, 6th article

See part 2: Ripples to Local Assemblies: 7th article, 8th article, 9th article, 10th article, 11th article, 12th article, 13th article, 14th article, 15th article

See part 3: Believers Suffering Discrimination and Human Rights Violations: 16th article, 17th article, 18th article, 19th article, 20th article, 21st article, 22nd article

See part 4: Media Crossing the Line: 23rd article, 24th article, 25th article, 26th article, 27th article, 28th article 

See part 5: The Distorted Image of the “Second-Generation”: 29th article, 31st article, 32nd article, 33rd article, 34th article, 35th article, 36th article, 37th article, 38th article

See part 6: Voices of Religious Leaders: 39th article, 40th article, 41st article, 42nd article, 43rd article, 44th article, 45th article, 46th article

See part 7: Religion in Japan in a Global Context: 47th article, 48th article, 49th article, 50th article, 51st article, 52nd article, 53rd article, 54th article, 55th article

See Epilogue: 56th article, 57th article, 58th article

“I felt that society was swirling with prejudice and discrimination against members and associates of the Family Federation. It didn’t seem normal at all, and although we’re a small voice, I want it to be heard.”

That’s what Ryosuke Kiyama (26, pseudonym), says. He lives in Tokyo and explains why he agreed to be interviewed. Kiyama is a “second-generation quitter” who left the faith of the religious organization. While he couldn’t talk about the circumstances leading to him quitting, he spoke seriously, saying,

“I have lived forgetting that I was related to the church, but as the Family Federation has been targeted, I have no choice but to get involved.”

The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had a significant impact on Kiyama. When he heard about the incident and checked the online news, he came across the term “#ReligiousOrganization” among the hashtags. He said he felt a chill run down his spine.

Subsequently, the “former Unification Church” began being named directly in the reports. Imagining how both current and former believers would be treated by society from then on, he said, “It was a huge shock.”

The more the media reported critically about the Family Federation, calling it an “anti-social organization,” the more he feared he would be treated as a former member of an “anti-social group” and suffer disadvantages, even if he had left the faith. “The topic of the religious organization came up at work, and it was painful to listen to. I was worried about what would happen if I was found out,” he said, lowering his voice. The faces of his family and acquaintances who were second-generation believers also came to mind. He was so worried that they might be deeply hurt that he eventually developed insomnia and couldn’t go to work.

In fact, some of the second-generation believers he knew also experienced health issues or insomnia. He expressed concern, saying,

“I often hear claims that even if the religious organization is dissolved, it won’t change much because it will only lose its status as religious corporation, but I don’t think that’s all there is to it.”

What shocked him was the response from opposition party members, including those from the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). “Before the incident, I leaned somewhat toward liberal views and was somehow sympathetic to the arguments of the opposition parties.” However, he was disheartened to see politicians, who he thought prioritized human rights, labeling members of the Family Federation as “anti-Japanese” and sometimes mocking them as “tsubos” (“pots” – a derogatory reference to members of the former Unification Church selling marble vases).

Gradually, reports on “second-generation religious followers” increased, and those who had left the faith were seen as victims by the public. However, Kiyama is not satisfied with these reports. He explains,

“The media has yet to address the complex positions and feelings held by the majority of second-generation religious followers.”

“Most second-generation members have family and friends within the church. Their positions cannot be simply categorized into pro-church or anti-church. Society might think they should vent their anger at the religious organization, but we have lived within it for a long time until we faded out. We inevitably concluded that there were both good and bad aspects. It is actually painful to vent all of our feelings on the religious organization.”

“What I hate the most is the lack of freedom,” he confessed, adding that lawyers and journalists often seen in the media argue that second-generation members are “mind-controlled”. The same lawyers and journalists

“completely refuse to acknowledge the existence of second-generation members who have chosen to believe of their own free will. In fact, those lawyers and journalists argue that such believers shouldn’t be acknowledged, and that feels suffocating.”

If second-generation believers do not fit into the predefined role of “victim” created for them, society brands them as being “still on the church’s side” or “not having broken free from brainwashing”. Kiyama himself has experienced such treatment. He says with a deep sigh,

“I know many second-generation members who have left the faith but still have good relationships with their parents, but I feel pressured to not even mention this.”

See part 1: The Kishida Administration’s Reckless Actions: 1st article, 2nd article, 3rd article, 4th article, 5th article, 6th article

See part 2: Ripples to Local Assemblies: 7th article, 8th article, 9th article, 10th article, 11th article, 12th article, 13th article, 14th article, 15th article

See part 3: Believers Suffering Discrimination and Human Rights Violations: 16th article, 17th article, 18th article, 19th article, 20th article, 21st article, 22nd article

See part 4: Media Crossing the Line: 23rd article, 24th article, 25th article, 26th article, 27th article, 28th article

See part 5: The Distorted Image of the “Second-Generation”: 29th article, 31st article, 32nd article, 33rd article, 34th article, 35th article, 36th article, 37th article, 38th article

See part 6: Voices of Religious Leaders: 39th article, 40th article, 41st article, 42nd article, 43rd article, 44th article, 45th article, 46th article

See part 7: Religion in Japan in a Global Context: 47th article, 48th article, 49th article, 50th article, 51st article, 52nd article, 53rd article, 54th article, 55th article

See Epilogue: 56th article, 57th article, 58th article

Featured image above: Hashtag “#ReligiousOrganization” trending. After the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the term “#ReligiousOrganization” (＃ 宗 教 団 体) trended on internet news in Japan. Illustration: Microsoft Designer Image Creator, 16th October 2024.

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: 2nd-Generation Denouncing Wry Media Portrayal

Also related to decrying wild claims by activists: 2nd-Generation Members Protesting Persecution

Also related to decrying wild claims by activists: Inhuman Government-Supported Mass Deprogramming

And also related to decrying wild claims by activists: Bias: No Right to Respond for Religious Minority

More, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Collusion to Rob Minority of Its Rights

And more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: State and Media Creating “Today’s Non-Citizens”

Still more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Japan Criticized for Glaring Rights Violations

Even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Japan Following the Way of China

And still more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: 12 Religious Freedom NGOs Denouncing Japan

And even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Conference on Religious Freedom Violations

Still more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Japan: Threat to Religious Freedom

Even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Call to End Witch Hunt

More, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Government’s Foul Play Pointed Out

More, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Japan: 4300 Abductions and Forcible Detentions

And more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Illegalities of Activist Lawyers Exposed

Yet more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Lawyers Manipulating, Coercing, Lying

Still more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Biased Information from Leftwing Lawyers

Even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Dangerous Precedent to Crush Religions

Even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Kyodo News: 100s of Rights Violations Claimed

Even more, related to decrying wild claims by activists: Fabricated Torts Part of Wily Strategy in Japan

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Media Helping Terrorist Reach His Goal

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Kishida Administration Giving in to Terrorism

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Kishida Has Opened Can of Worms

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Bizarre Atlantic Report Condoning Terror

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Japan Times: Warning of Terror

Related to decrying wild claims by activists: Did constant hate-mongering cause terror?