New Japanese Anti-Government Protests Spreading

Demos and rallies held throughout Japan as part of anti-government protests

Tokyo, 1st July 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article

Family Federation believers hold rallies and protest marches in various places, advocating for the protection of religious freedom.

A member of the city council in Kitakyushu, which passed a resolution to sever relations, also participated.

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

Ahead of the second anniversary of the shooting incident of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 8^th July, followers of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church) held rallies and marches across the country, calling for freedom of religion.

In Kitakyushu City, on 30^th June, about 300 believers and supporters protested against the city council’s decision to sever ties with the Family Federation. They marched from the Kitakyushu Municipal Chamber of Commerce and Trade to Kokura Station, shouting, “The government’s request for a dissolution order is unjust.”

Prior to the march, a rally was held where Shingo Inoue (井上真吾), a member of the city council who attended as a guest, took the stage. He reflected on the unanimous decision made in December 2022 to pass a resolution confirming non-involvement with the former Unification Church, which was deemed “anti-social” due to “numerous victims resulting from spiritual sales” and “extortion of donations”.

Although he had supported the resolution at that time, he recalled feeling a strong sense of discomfort, questioning whether it was an issue of freedom of thought and belief. He now pledged to fight for the religious freedom of the Family Federation, even at the cost of his political career.

In Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, on 30^th June, about 100 followers held a protest march, claiming that the declaration by the Liberal Democratic Party to sever ties with the Family Federation was infringing on the followers’ human rights. They chanted slogans such as “Protect freedom of religion”.

On the same day in Akita City [northwestern Japan], a rally was held with the theme “Why Do People Have Faith?” It was attended by about 100 persons. Kimitsugu Usui (薄井君次), a representative of second-generation believers, introduced activities such as holding a bazaar at the church in support of the Noto peninsula [earthquake-stricken area] and visiting about 130 religious organizations to promote interfaith dialogue.

During a panel discussion, there was a speech by Kiaki Kojima (小嶌希晶), the president of “Association to Protect the Human Rights of Second-Generation Believers”. She mentioned that although they have been interviewed by many media outlets, recently experts have been saying that they were envious of second-generation believers. She emphasized that the media-reported picture of the Family Federation causing damages is far removed from the actual situation of the Family Federation.

On 29^th June in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture [on southern island of Shikoku], a symposium was held with the participation of over 200 Family Federation members and supporters. Representing the members, a 74-year-old woman expressed her concern about the current situation, stating, “The media consistently presents biased reports, making it seem as if believers have no human rights.” She also voiced her deep concern about being labeled as part of an “evil religion” and even being called an “anti-social force”.

Following the testimony of second-generation believers, Toru Goto (後藤徹) gave a lecture. He had been abducted and confined for 12 years and 5 months by his relatives and professional faith-breaker Takashi Miyamura (宮村峻) in order to force Goto to abandon his belief. He cited examples of human rights violations targeting the faith of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, such as the dismissal of employees found to be believers, and the refusal of rental contracts to Family Federation employees. “Outrageous discrimination and human rights violations take place behind the scenes,” he said, referring to the media’s biased reporting after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Featured image above: Members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification and the Tokyo Fellowship Family Church march in a demonstration shouting, ‘”Protect freedom of religion and human rights” – on 30th June 2024, in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo: Reika Kato (加藤玲和) / Sekai Nippo

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