Media Stereotypes and Misinformation Challenged

Public urged to see the real situation behind the media misinformation as believers share their stories at conference with religious leaders

Tokyo, 21st March 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

Understanding the Real Situation

Family Federation Believers Hold Religious Freedom Conference in Takasaki

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

The Gunma Conference to Protect Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion (organized by the Gunma Citizens’ Association) was held on 20^th March 2025 in Takasaki City. Followers of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) called for the public to understand the true nature of the Family Federation, which they claim is not accurately portrayed in the media.

At the conference, five believers took the stage to share their experiences. Miyuki Kowata (木幡美由紀), a Family Federation believer who was abducted and confined by her parents in 2005 for the purpose of coercive faith-breaking, spoke about her ordeal. Although she never lost her faith despite being deprived of her physical and mental freedom, she recalled struggling with interpersonal relationships even after reintegrating into society due to the trauma of her confinement. She emphasized,

“Misinformation has even led to the justification of confinement. At the very least, abduction, confinement, and coercive faith-breaking must be recognized as human rights violations.”

Michihito Tamaki (玉木道人), a believer of Sukyo Mahikari [See editor’s note below], shared his impression that Family Federation members he had met were completely different from the image portrayed by the media.

“Every single one of them was a good person,” he said, encouraging them to “continue practicing their faith with confidence.”

[Editor’s note: Sukyo Mahikari  (祟教真光) is a Japanese new religious movement that was founded in 1959 by Yoshikazu Okada (岡田 良一), who later became known as Kōtama Okada (岡田 光玉). The religion is part of the broader Mahikari movement, which centers around the practice of spiritual purification through the transmission of “divine light” (ōki or true light). It claims to help cleanse spiritual impurities and improve physical, emotional, and societal well-being.

Yoshikazu Okada originally had connections to Sekai Kyūsei Kyō (Church of World Messianity) before founding Sūkyō Mahikari in 1959. After his death in 1974, leadership disputes led to a split in the movement. His daughter, Keishu Okada, continued Sūkyō Mahikari, while other factions, such as Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyōdan, emerged.

Sūkyō Mahikari has spread internationally. It operates training centers and dojos where members receive teachings and practice Mahikari no Waza.

Their teachings emphasize a monotheistic belief in a supreme deity and reverence for a Supreme God (Sujin). Practitioners believe in transmission of Light (Mahikari no Waza) and that they can channel divine energy through their hands to purify others. The religion teaches that misfortunes and illnesses stem from spiritual impurities. Past actions influence present conditions, and followers are encouraged to purify their spiritual debts.]

Featured image above: Michihito Tamaki (second from the right) speaks about his impression of the Family Federation – 20th March 2025, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Photo: Tsuyoshi Toyoda (豊田剛)

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