Protesting No Transparency in Closed-Door Trial

Young believers petition court and demand fair trial as they challenge lack of transparency in secretive proceedings behind closed doors

Tokyo, 14th July 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

“This concerns us”

Believers request to participate in non-contentious court proceedings regarding the dissolution of the Family Federation

by Takahide Ishii (石井 孝秀)

The Religious Freedom Investigative Team of the editorial department of Sekai Nippo reports,

“Amid closed-door proceedings at the Tokyo High Court regarding the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s (MEXT) request to dissolve the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), eight believers submitted a petition to the Tokyo High Court on 10^th July, requesting to participate as interested parties.

On 11^th July, the eight held a press conference with their legal representatives, raising objections to the fact that such a significant outcome – losing their place of worship and potentially their jobs and livelihoods – could be decided in closed proceedings without their knowledge.”

The eight individuals who took the stage at a venue in Uchisaiwaichō, Tokyo, are second- and third-generation believers, whose parents or grandparents are members of the religious organization.

Representing the voluntary group “Association of Second-Generation Members Protecting the Human Rights of Believers,” Nozomi Kojima (小嶌希晶 – 29) reflected on how the Tokyo District Court’s decision to order the dissolution of the Family Federation motivated them to search for ways to more actively participate in the legal process. Through this, they learned of a legal provision called participation as an interested party in non-contentious proceedings [See editor’s note below], which allows those directly affected by a court decision to join the process.

While preparing this petition, the association also launched a nationwide signature campaign calling for fairness and transparency in the trial. As of now, more than 35,550 people have signed. Kojima explained,

“The signatures keep coming in. Of course, we couldn’t include everyone, so we limited the request to these eight people.”

She also referred to reports suggesting that some of the evidence submitted by MEXT may have been fabricated, and added,

“There are many believers crying out for a just and fair trial. We want the court to protect freedom of religion and deliver a proper judgment.”

The Tokyo District Court issued the dissolution order in March, and the religious organization immediately appealed, sending the case to the Tokyo High Court. Attorney Shinichi Tokunaga (徳永信一), representing the association, emphasized,

“Unlike the first trial, if the appeal court upholds the dissolution, all church property – facilities, religious tools used for rituals and worship – will be placed under the control of a court-appointed trustee. This will undoubtedly affect the believers.”

He argued,

“Any believer has a legitimate interest in the case.”

It is unclear when the court will decide on the petition to participate, but even if it is rejected, the religious organization can appeal to the Supreme Court. Through this participation by interested parties, the young members hope to make the currently “closed-door” dissolution trial more transparent – by gaining access to case materials and calling witnesses separate from the church’s legal team.

Attorney Kai Sasaki (佐々木海), who helped draft the petition, stated that their claims include:

1. The believers’ freedom of religion is being violated.
2. Staff of the religious organization could suffer economic losses through dismissals.
3. The trial regarding the dissolution order should, under Article 82 of the Constitution, be open to the public.

In addition, some of the petitioners spoke about the damage and concerns they have experienced due to media “bashing” of the religious organization following the July 2022 shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (安倍晋三).

Makoto Imanaka (今中誠 – 29), a second-generation believer and employee of the religious organization, shared how fears of dismissal due to the dissolution of the Family Federation led him to apply to two recruitment agencies. One did not introduce him to a single company. The other did, but the prospective employer declined to proceed, citing concerns about potential recruitment into the religious organization. Imanaka said,

“I couldn’t accept the atmosphere and climate that have led to this. If I actually lose my job, a harsh reality awaits.”

Miki Shiiba (椎葉実希 – 29), a second-generation female believer, recounted her anxiety while filling out daycare application forms for her four-month-old daughter at the time when then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (岸田文雄) declared the government would sever ties with the religious organization. Because her mother-in-law, who lives with them, is a staff member of the Family Federation, she hesitated to disclose her workplace for fear of denial of entry or backlash.

“I can’t accept being told by the government that what I’ve believed in is wrong, without understanding why. I wanted to see the contents of the trial with my own eyes, and that’s why I decided to be here.”

The process leading up to the dissolution of the religious organization – including the Cabinet decision, Diet deliberations, the Religious Council of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the use of the right to question, and the request for a dissolution order – has not been made public. The eight believers’ petition to participate as interested parties stems from a very basic desire: they simply want to know what is happening.

Featured image above: Nozomi Kojima (小嶌希晶) – center), representing the “Association of Second-Generation Members Protecting the Human Rights of Believers,” and attorney Shinichi Tokunaga (徳永信一 – right) hold a press conference on July 11 in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀)

[Editor’s note: A non-contentious case refers to a legal matter where there is no dispute between parties. These cases typically involve administrative, procedural, or uncontested legal actions, such as probate (handling a deceased person’s estate), uncontested divorces, adoption, or registering a trademark. Since there are no opposing parties or legal conflicts, these cases usually proceed smoothly through the legal system without litigation.]

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