Japan: President Tanaka (69) Names Hori Successor

Japanese President Tanaka resigns, urges generational renewal within Family Federation as entire executive board is to be replaced

Tokyo, 10th December 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.

Family Federation President Tanaka Resigns: “A First Step Toward Restoring Trust”

Successor to Be Masaichi Hori

by the Editorial Desk of Sekai Nippo

See also Press Release: Final Submission to Appeal Court

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See also Rising Religious Persecution in SKorea, Japan

See also: A Dissolution Built on Fabrications, Speculation

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Tomihiro Tanaka (田中富広), 69, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), held a press conference on 9^th December at the organization’s headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, and announced that he would resign effective that day.

Explaining his resignation, he stated:

“The fact that our activities have caused deep pain to some individuals is something that absolutely cannot be taken lightly. As president, I must confront this reality with utmost sincerity. I decided to resign in order to take a first step toward restoring public trust.”

He also cited as reasons the conclusion of appellate proceedings at the Tokyo High Court regarding the government’s petition for a dissolution order ‒ final written arguments were submitted on 21^st November ‒ and his assessment that, as a result of internal reforms he initiated, the environment was now prepared to welcome the next generation of leadership. At one point, he bowed his head in an apology ‒ going beyond the framework of criminal and civil liability ‒ intended to express remorse toward “the voices expressing pain and harm”.

He recommended Masaichi Hori (堀正一), 55, former vice president of the Family Federation in Japan, as his successor. Tanaka explained that Hori

“was the first second-generation member born in Japan and is the most suitable individual to unite and lead the first, second, and third generations.”

The organization reportedly plans to replace all six executive officers in addition to the president.

When asked for his views on statements made by defendant Tetsuya Yamagami (山上徹也) and his family during the trial at the Nara District Court regarding the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (安倍晋三), Tanaka declined to comment, saying he had “not attended the trial”.

At the same time, Tanaka remarked that he had “drawn courage” from members during the difficult period following the incident and the government’s pursuit of a dissolution order. He said,

“What gave me hope, was seeing the next generation move with strong faith. I had feared that many members might leave, but in the end almost none did, and that strengthened me.”

Regarding his plans after stepping down, he said:

“As an ordinary member or as an individual human being, I want to continue seeking ways to contribute both to the religious organization and to society.”

See also Press Release: Final Submission to Appeal Court

See also Social Media, Reporting Cited as Fueling Terror

See also Rising Religious Persecution in SKorea, Japan

See also: A Dissolution Built on Fabrications, Speculation

See also Expert: “Is Dissolution Framework Constitutional?”

Featured image above: Tomihiro Tanaka (田中富広), president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, announcing his resignation and answering questions at a press conference on the afternoon 9th December in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀)

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