Permission Given: Bold Governor Defies Hostility

Governor defends public park use by Family Federation for worship service and grants permission despite pressure from hostile activist lawyers’ group

Tokyo, 22nd July 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

Family Federation Holds Worship at Public Facility in Toyama

Governor Nitta Grants Permission

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

See also Big Festival Welcomes Federation Participation

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A worship event by the Toyama Family Church of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) was held on 20^th July at Fugan Canal Kansui Park in Toyama City.

The Toyama prefectural government permitted the group to use the public facility, stating it was an “approval matter under the law”. However, the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales (Zenkoku Benren) requested that the permission be revoked.

In response, Governor Hachiro Nitta (新田八朗) cited the Local Autonomy Act, stating that “use cannot be denied without a legitimate reason,” and granted permission.

Approximately 350 people attended the worship service, which proceeded calmly without incident. Hirokazu Nakajima (中島弘一), Deputy Church Leader of the local Family Federation, explained the purpose of the event:

“We were surprised by the dissolution order from the Tokyo District Court, but we wanted local residents to see our regular worship.”

He added,

“We are grateful for the prefecture’s decision. Regardless of whether people have faith or not, we are fellow human beings living in the same community. We want to continue engaging sincerely with the local community.”

See also Big Festival Welcomes Federation Participation

See also Kishida Causes Blatant Discrimination Locally

Featured image above: Family Federation believers participating in the worship service 20^th July 2025, at the outdoor theater in Fugan Canal Kansui Park, Toyama City, Japan. Photo: Fuzumi Yamada (山田芙珠美)

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