Japan: Families Fear for Graves of Loved Ones

8 big cemeteries affected: Members of large religious minority fear they will lose access to the graves of dear family members due to the Japanese authorities’ inhuman persecution 

Tokyo, 25th July 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

[Breaking News]

“Leave It to the Liquidator”

Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Health Respond to Sekai Nippo Regarding Treatment of Family Federation Cemeteries, Angering Bereaved Families Over the Abdication of Responsibility

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

See also Gross State Interference in Religious Matters

See also Sacrilege: Japanese State Violating the Sacred

See also Japan: Even Dead Souls Face State Persecution

Recently, Sekai Nippo sent inquiries to the Religious Affairs Division of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regarding the treatment of cemeteries owned by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), in the event that the religious organization is officially dissolved. While responses were received, both agencies merely stated that “matters related to liquidation will be decided by the liquidator,” offering no concrete policy. Their stance of completely shifting responsibility to the liquidator has fueled growing anger and anxiety among bereaved families of members.

While the Tokyo High Court is currently reviewing an appeal regarding the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) order to dissolve the Family Federation, once the court finalizes the dissolution, liquidation procedures will commence.

The religious organization manages eight cemeteries nationwide. Sekai Nippo recently submitted a letter of inquiry to the Religious Affairs Division of the Agency for Cultural Affairs with questions regarding what would happen to these cemeteries if the Family Federation is dissolved. Among the five questions asked were:

1. In the event of delayed liquidation, how would authorities handle problems arising from a lack of management or termination of land use contracts by landowners?
2. What measures would be taken to protect the rights of cemetery users even if liquidation stalls?
3. Would there be support such as setting up consultation desks to ease the concerns of cemetery users?

Similarly, a five-question letter was sent to the MHLW, asking questions such as:

• Who will be responsible for managing cemeteries owned by the religious organization post-dissolution?
• Will there be any legal guarantees allowing cemetery users to continue using the plots safely?

Though both ministries responded by the deadline, they did not address each question directly. Both only cited the Religious Corporations Act, stating that “matters related to liquidation are to be decided by the liquidator,” effectively deflecting responsibility. There appears to be virtually no plan in place for the handling of cemeteries after dissolution.

International attorney Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹) commented on the ministries’ responses, saying,

“There is no legal precedent, and the relevant statutes are vague, so the ministries likely can’t provide anything more concrete.”

He also expressed concern that after the dissolution, since religious activities would be prohibited, even honoring one’s ancestors could be deemed a “religious act”, depending on the liquidator’s interpretation.

Building on that, regarding the dissolution order issued by the Tokyo District Court in March, Nakayama emphasized:

“The believers’ human rights were dismissed as being merely ‘reflexive interests’ [See editor’s note below], but the concerns surrounding the cemetery issue come with no guarantees whatsoever, and it would be hard to say that they are merely ‘reflexive interests’.”

Representatives from cemeteries affiliated with the religious organization also expressed strong criticism of the ministries’ response.

Jiro Nakabayashi (中林次郎 – 60), secretary-general of the bereaved families’ association at the “Central Japan Memorial Park” in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture – where Family Federation believers are buried – said,

“Neither the government nor the ministries have given any thought to what happens after the dissolution. That’s why all they say is ‘leave it to the liquidator.’ It’s infuriating how they completely ignore the believers’ circumstances, their lives, and their emotional needs.”

He added,

“It’s incredibly distressing that they won’t even clearly say, ‘The cemetery will be fine even after dissolution.’ If the government is going to request a dissolution, they need to clearly define how each matter will be handled afterward.”

A representative of the “Oze Cemetery” in Katashina Village, Gunma Prefecture, which is owned by the Family Federation, said,

“These ministries are the ones who should understand this issue the most, yet their answers are irresponsibly vague. I want them to engage with this issue sincerely once again.”

Among bereaved family members, voices of concern are growing, such as:

• “Even if the religious organization is dissolved, I hope the cemeteries can remain as they are.”
• “Will we no longer be able to hold memorial services like we used to?”

According to the Family Federation headquarters, as of 20^th June, a total of 428 petitions were submitted to the Tokyo High Court by believers and bereaved family members requesting that the dissolution order be rescinded, citing harm they would suffer if it proceeds. As of 18^th July, over 110 additional petitions had been received and are expected to be submitted in due course.

See also Gross State Interference in Religious Matters

See also Sacrilege: Japanese State Violating the Sacred

See also Japan: Even Dead Souls Face State Persecution

Featured image above: A man visiting Oze Cemetery, where his parents rest – May, Katashina Village, Gunma Prefecture. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀), partially edited.

[Editor’s note: “Reflexive Interest” (反射的利益 – hanshateki rieki) is a legal term implying that the rights are indirect, incidental, or not legally protected in a direct sense. In Japanese legal theory, “reflexive Interest” refers to a benefit that a person receives indirectly as a byproduct of laws or administrative actions, but which is not protected as a legally enforceable right.

Imagine the government builds a public park near your house. You benefit from it: nicer scenery, maybe property value goes up. But you can’t demand the government keep the park or sue them if they decide to turn it into a parking lot. Your benefit was a “reflexive Interest” – incidental and unprotected.

Contrast that with a legally protected right – like your ownership of your house. That’s enforceable in court.

The Tokyo District Court, when issuing a dissolution order, said that the believers’ rights – their religious practices or access to certain services – were “reflexive interests”. That is, they were not directly protected and therefore didn’t weigh heavily in the decision to dissolve the organization.

The Family Federation, however, argues that in cases like cemetery issues, the emotional and practical consequences (e.g., burial rights, memorial access) are so serious and lacking in guarantees that they cannot just be dismissed as reflexive interests.

Labeling something as “reflexive Interests” is a legal strategy. It downplays the weight of someone’s concerns. It removes legal standing (you can’t sue over it). And it allows the government or courts to act more freely.]

Related to fear for graves of loved ones: Lawfare: State Uses Legal System in War on Faith

Also related to fear for graves of loved ones: “Lawyers Lying and Shaming Japan” for 50 Years

And also related to fear for graves of loved ones: “Liquidation Is Like Being Robbed of Our Assets”

More, related to fear for graves of loved ones: “No Freedom of Assembly If State Seizes Church”

Even more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan Copying China: State Seizure of Churches

Also related to fear for graves of loved ones: Church Assets: Lawyers Move to “Seize Them All”

And also related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan Following the Way of China

Yet more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan’s Dissolution Case Echoes China’s Playbook

More, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Media/Legal Expert: Communism Behind Persecution

And more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Militant Lawyers Dictate Government Policy

More, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Collusion to Rob Minority of Its Rights

And more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: State and Media Creating “Today’s Non-Citizens”

And still more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: 12 Religious Freedom NGOs Denouncing Japan

More, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan: 4300 Abductions and Forcible Detentions

Yet more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Lawyers Manipulating, Coercing, Lying

Also related to fear for graves of loved ones: Kishida Follows Anti-Family Federation Minister

Also related to fear for graves of loved ones: Militant Lawyers Dictate Government Policy

Still more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Malicious One-Sided Government Source Selection

Yet more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Kishida’s Self-Defeating Populist Decisions

And still more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan Urged to Make U-Turn

And yet more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Dangerous Precedent to Crush Religions

And even more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Tendentious Reporting by New York Times

Still more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan Criticized for Glaring Rights Violations

Even more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japan Following the Way of China

Yet more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Japanese Communists’ Final War

Still more, related to fear for graves of loved ones: Political and Social Activism behind Oppression