Japan: Even Dead Souls Face State Persecution

Japanese state persecution reaching new extremes as it seems certain that even members’ dead souls may not escape inhuman treatment brought about by dissolution order 

Tokyo, 20th May 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

“Don’t Take Away the Place Where Our Daughter Sleeps”

Bereaved Families Cry Out Over 3,200 Graves at 8 Sites Nationwide

The Request to Dissolve the Family Federation and the Cemetery Controversy (Part 1)

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

See part 2 Sacrilege: Japanese State Violating the Sacred

See part 3: Gross State Interference in Religious Matters

See also Japan: Families Fear for Graves of Loved Ones

If the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology‘s request for the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) is approved, a major social issue could arise concerning the management of cemeteries operated by the organization.

There is no precedent in Japan of a religious corporation that owns cemeteries being ordered to dissolve by a court. With no prior example to follow, no one truly knows what will happen to these burial sites after dissolution. Could they lose not just the legal status as a religious corporation, but even the graves where their beloved family members rest? We spoke with bereaved family members who live with this fear.

In a mountain valley surrounded by rich nature in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, lies an orderly cemetery. This is the “Central Japan Cemetery”, where followers of the Family Federation are buried.

During a joint memorial service held by the religious organization on 26^th April, Mitsuo Ito (伊藤光夫) – 60 – and his wife Ryoko (伊藤良子) – 63 – placed their daughter’s portrait on her gravestone and offered flowers and fruit.

“I can’t possibly tell my daughter that we might have to leave this cemetery,” said Mitsuo as they both looked distressed at the possibility that their daughter’s grave could be lost due to the dissolution of the religious organization.

Their eldest daughter, Kotomi, passed away at 18 while in her third year of high school. She was one of the 63 victims of the 2014 eruption of Mount Ontake on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures.

Mitsuo had been climbing Ontake with fellow followers of the Family Federation when the eruption occurred. Kotomi had reached the summit ahead of him and sent him a photo with the message, “I’m waiting for you.” However, before Mitsuo could reach the top, the eruption occurred. Kotomi and several other members of the religious organization died.

Still burdened by guilt, Mitsuo said, “I can’t help but think that if she hadn’t been waiting for me at the summit, she might have survived.”

Stricken with grief, he couldn’t part with her ashes for three years. After finally interring them at the Central Japan Cemetery, he has made monthly trips from their home in Aichi Prefecture, driving about an hour on the expressway.

Despite the deep emotional wounds, the annual memorial service and the chance to connect with fellow believers have been a source of healing for the couple. Many visitors offered flowers and prayers at Kotomi’s grave. The cemetery provided a space and time where members came together like one big family, easing their pain.

According to the Religious Corporations Act, once the dissolution is finalized, all operations run by the organization must be forcibly terminated. There are eight cemeteries nationwide under the names of the organization or its affiliates, holding over 3,200 graves. The Central Japan Cemetery is located on land owned by a Buddhist temple, which the church has leased under its name and entrusted management to volunteer members.

It remains unclear whether cemetery management can be smoothly transferred to another organization or whether it could lead to closure or even forced reburials. Anxiety is growing among the bereaved families. During the joint memorial service, the bereaved families’ association at Central Japan Cemetery issued a statement to the press expressing their concerns:

“If the organization is dissolved, the cemetery’s management will be left without an operator, raising the possibility of it being irresponsibly abandoned. This would be unbearable for us and would severely damage the dignity of the souls of the deceased.”

Fear of losing a place to mourn

In the beliefs of the Family Federation, the soul lives on eternally after death. Thus, the memorial gatherings have a warm, friendly atmosphere. Scenes could be seen of families enjoying meals picnic-style near the graves, and of bereaved families from across the country cheerfully saying, “It’s been a while” and warmly reminiscing together.

But all of this could be lost if the religious organization is dissolved. Even if cemetery management is transferred to another religious or public-interest organization, religious services like the current memorials may be difficult to continue. If the transition is not smooth, there is a risk – just as the bereaved families fear – that the cemeteries may be neglected for long periods.

Mitsuo Ito, seeing the ongoing media coverage about the potential dissolution of the religious organization, expressed his feelings plainly:

“Will politicians – all for their own convenience – really take away even the resting place of our loved ones?”

In 2020, Mitsuo Ito climbed Mount Ontake once again and at last reached the summit.

“I wanted to see the scenery my daughter saw. I wanted to stand where she had stood. I felt like she was still waiting at the summit.”

He said that seeing the scenery he was supposed to see with his daughter became a kind of closure [See editor’s note 1 below] for him.

Now, standing before his daughter’s grave, Mitsuo appeals to the Japanese government, which has pushed ahead with the dissolution request without hearing much from current followers:

“Please think about the bereaved families who see this place as their spiritual refuge (拠り所).” [See editor’s note 2 below]

[Editor’s note 1: The sentence quietly conveys emotional resolution. The use of 区切り (kugiri – closure) suggests a personal chapter coming to an end – not forgetting it but reaching a meaningful point of acceptance or peace.]

[Editor’s note 2: 拠り所 (yoridokoro) translated as “spiritual refuge” may also mean emotional support, source of spiritual or emotional grounding, a place or idea to lean on.  拠り所 (yoridokoro) is a powerful term. It doesn’t just mean a physical location – it implies emotional or spiritual reliance, especially in the context of grief or trauma.

The sentence as a whole is a heartfelt plea – asking authorities (or society) not just to focus on legal or political matters, but to remember the emotional stakes for the families left behind.]

See part 2 Sacrilege: Japanese State Violating the Sacred

See part 3: Gross State Interference in Religious Matters

See also Japan: Families Fear for Graves of Loved Ones

Featured image above: Mitsuo Ito (伊藤光夫) – left – and Ryoko Ito (伊藤良子) visit the grave of their eldest daughter, Kotomi, at the Central Japan Cemetery — April 26, in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀)

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