“If You Don’t Speak Up, Bullying Will Continue”

2nd-generation member tells conference on freedom of religion that bullying of religious minority in Japan is very likely to continue if they don’t raise their voices

Tokyo, 14th October 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

“Points of connection with society”

One year since the request for a court order to dissolve the Family Federation

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

On 13^th October 2024, a symposium with the theme of freedom of religion and basic human rights was held in Saitama City. It marked that one year has passed since the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) filed a request with the Tokyo District Court to issue an order to dissolve the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church). Participants at the symposium asserted that freedom of religion and basic human rights should be protected. At the same time, they acknowledged the need for reflection where necessary and emphasized the importance of sending positive messages to society.

Teruaki Tsuji (辻照明), representing “Saitama Citizens’ Group for the Protection of Freedom of Religion and Basic Human Rights”, criticized the ministry’s decision, stating that it suppresses freedom of thought and belief.

Following this, there was a report that second-generation believers had been excluded from an international event hosted by an organization affiliated with Saitama prefecture, because the governor of Saitama, Motohiro Ono (大野元裕), had declared a severance of ties with the Family Federation.

Non-fiction writer Masaki Kubota (窪田順生), who continues to cover the Family Federation, stated that protecting freedom of religion requires three key elements: (1) documenting facts of repression, (2) engaging in dialogue with people of differing values, and (3) maintaining a positive attitude and not forgetting humor.

Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹), an international lawyer advising the Family Federation on compliance, advised that the Family Federation is perceived similarly to Aum Shinrikyo by the public. In order to be understood it is crucial to have points of connection with society.

Nozomi Kojima (小嶌希晶), representing the “Second-Generation Association to Protect the Human Rights of Believers”, revealed that due to the dissolution order, the image of religion as a whole has worsened. When interacting with members of other religions, they feel the need to first offer an apology. She also shared that several religious figures had advised them to “be more confident”, and had also said,

“If you don’t raise your voice, you will continue to be bullied.”

After the symposium, participants marched around the area where the Saitama Prefectural Offices are located, chanting slogans such as “Protect freedom of religion and basic human rights” and “We firmly oppose the dissolution order.”

Featured image above: Speakers discussing the future vision of the Family Federation 13^th Oct. 2024, Urawa Ward, Saitama City, Japan. Photo: Tsuyshi Toyoda (豊田剛) / Sekai Nippo

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And also related to bullying of religious minority: Bias: No Right to Respond for Religious Minority

More, related to bullying of religious minority: Collusion to Rob Minority of Its Rights

And more, related to bullying of religious minority: State and Media Creating “Today’s Non-Citizens”

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And still more, related to bullying of religious minority: 12 Religious Freedom NGOs Denouncing Japan

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Still more, related to bullying of religious minority: Japan: Threat to Religious Freedom

Even more, related to bullying of religious minority: Call to End Witch Hunt

More, related to bullying of religious minority: Government’s Foul Play Pointed Out

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And more, related to bullying of religious minority: Illegalities of Activist Lawyers Exposed

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Related to religious minority being bullied: Kishida Has Opened Can of Worms

Related to religious minority being bullied: Bizarre Atlantic Report Condoning Terror

Related to religious minority being bullied: Japan Times: Warning of Terror

Related to religious minority being bullied: Did constant hate-mongering cause terror?

Masaki Kubota (窪田順生) is a non-fiction writer who has contributed to weekly and monthly magazines. He has also worked first as a producer, then as an advisor for TV-documentaries. He is journalist for a weekly magazine and a newspaper, and editor of a monthly magazine. In addition, he works as a media consultant, having conducted over 200 public relations consultations and media training sessions (training on how to handle interviews).

His books include

• “Spin Doctor – Techniques of Information Manipulation Used by Professionals Who ‘Hush up Bad Information’” (Kodansha Alpha Bunko – 2009), which deals with Japan’s political and corporate public relations strategies, and

• “14 Stairs – Reportage on the Niigata Girl’s 9 Years and 2 Months Confinement Case” (Shogakukan – 2006), which won the 12th Shogakukan Non-fiction Award for Excellence.

• His new book, “Infiltrating the Former Unification Church – the Complete Story of the Request for a Dissolution Order and the Deepest Secrets of the ‘No Good Coverage’”, is currently on sale.