Spotlight on Faith Known to Defy Persecution

Investigative journalist and author holds up as example a minority faith known to defy persecution

Tokyo, 2nd December 2024 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

“Cultivate Religious Sentiments, Create Peace”

Rally Advocating Freedom of Religion Held in Shimane

by the editorial department of Sekai Nippo

On 1^st December 2024, the “Shimane Citizens’ Association for Protecting Fundamental Human Rights and Freedom of Religion” held a rally in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. The event was attended by 150 people, including members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church), as well as representatives of other religious organizations.

A second-generation believer who works as a staff member of the Family Federation gave a speech, emphasizing,

“If people cultivate a spirit of respecting others, Japan will begin to change for the better straightaway. Religion plays an important role in nurturing the heart.”

He criticized the public opinion that labels religion as evil, stating,

“Religions teach altruistic values and preach freedom and equality. It is those who believe in religion who can create peace around them. For the sake of the nation, freedom of faith and religion must be protected.”

Using the example of the pre-war religious suppression of the Shinto-based Omotokyo, non-fiction writer Masaki Kubota, who delivered the keynote speech, pointed out that “the media has not changed at all since before the war.” He explained that the reports which triggered the Omoto suppression came from anti-religious experts, journalists, and former believers claiming harm. Kubota commented,

“At that time, believers were criticized as ‘superstitious’ . They were further suspected of ‘trying to replace the emperor’. That led to the government becoming involved.”

Kubota also noted that when believers tried to counter the allegations at the time, they were overpowered by journalists. He stressed,

“Today, individual believers can disseminate information. It is important for many people to understand what the believers are really like, with their diverse perspectives.”

[Editor’s note: Omotokyo (大本教) is a Japanese new religious movement that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was founded by Nao Deguchi (1836–1918), a peasant woman who claimed to have received divine revelations, and her successor Onisaburo Deguchi (1871–1948), who played a significant role in shaping the religion’s teachings and structure.

Omotokyo emphasizes universal salvation, spiritual purification, and the ultimate unity of all religions. The religion stresses the importance of living in harmony with divine will and nature.

Today, Omotokyo remains a small but active religious group in Japan. It has also inspired the foundation of Aikido, the martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba, who was a follower of Omotokyo.

Omotokyo holds a significant place in the history of Japanese religion, not only as a spiritual movement but also as a symbol of resistance to religious persecution during Japan’s militaristic period.]

Featured image above: Non-fiction writer Masaki Kubota (窪田順生) delivering the keynote speech on the afternoon of 1^st December 2024 in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture. Photo: Takahide Ishii (石井孝秀) / Sekai Nippo

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