Leaders from 18 Faiths Send Protest to Regime

Leaders from Family Federation and 17 other faiths gathered in city of Niigata sending protest to regime 0f Kishida 

Tokyo, 22nd July 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article

Conference Advocating for Religious Freedom, Without Prejudice Towards Religions

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

See also Young Members Protesting Horrifying Persecution

On 20^th July 2024, a symposium was held in Chuo Ward, Niigata City organized by Niigata Prefecture’s Citizens’ Association to Protect Religious Freedom. The event was in response to the request by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to the Tokyo District Court for an order to dissolve the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church). The theme for the symposium was “Citizens’ Meeting for Niigata Prefecture to Protect Religious Freedom and Human Rights”.

In addition to members of the Family Federation, religious leaders from 17 religious organizations participated, including Soka Gakkai and Rissho Kosei-kai.  They adopted a declaration promoting the protection of “freedom of religion and democracy in Japan” and firmly protesting “religious discrimination and persecution due to prejudice against any religion”.

During the meeting, Family Federation staff member Kenryu Kageyama (影山権龍) (36) delivered a speech on behalf of second-generation believers. In response to the prevailing narrative that second-generation individuals are victims coerced into the faith, Kageyama countered that there are many second-generation believers who are happy to inherit the faith. He emphasized that his life of faith within the Family Federation has served as the underpinnings of his life and been the reason for his personal happiness. Additionally, he conveyed the pain felt by believers who have had their faith – an integral part of their identity – brushed aside due to religious persecution.

Guest speaker Norio Hosoya (細谷典男), a member of the Toride City Council in Ibaraki Prefecture, warned that the request for the dissolution order was an “unjust act that violates religious freedom” and would lead to totalitarianism and the secularization of the state.

The declaration will be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

See also Young Members Protesting Horrifying Persecution

Featured image above: Kenryu Kageyama speaking in Niigata 20th July 2024. Photo: Tsuyoshi Toyoda (豊田剛) / Sekai Nippo 

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