Statement on Japan’s Court Ruling on Dissolution

Statement from Family Federation of USA as Japanese court ruling sets dangerous precedent for freedom of religion

See also statement by international HQ

See also statement by European movement

by Rev. Demian Dunkley, President, Family Federation USA

March 25, 2025

We Are Deeply Grieved – But Not Surprised

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in the United States stands in solemn solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Japan following the court’s decision to allow the Japanese government to dissolve FFWPU Japan.

“The church and the concept of religious freedom are now battling for survival in Japan’s legal system.”

(All quotes sourced from The Washington Times unless otherwise noted)

Let Us Be Clear: No Crime Was Committed

For the first time in Japan’s postwar history, a peaceful religious organization is being dismantled by the state without a single criminal conviction. The court’s decision does not mark justice – it marks a turning point in Japan’s democratic identity.

Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology (MEXT) conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that the Family Federation violated no criminal law. On October 17, 2022, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated in Parliament that the church could not be dissolved on that basis. Yet the very next day, Kishida reversed course, claiming the government could pursue dissolution based solely on civil complaints. This reversal opened the door for a legal reinterpretation that undermines religious freedom not just in Japan – but globally.

As the U.S. State Department observed, this move “marked a deviation from the norm” in Japan’s treatment of religious organizations.

This Is Not Justice – It Is Lawfare

On March 13, 2025, Senator Satoshi Hamada publicly questioned the Ministry of Education about falsified evidence used in the court proceedings. Referring to a post by lawyer Shinichi Tokunaga:

“The crime of the century: MEXT filed a request for a dissolution order based on falsified statements. A designated agent of MEXT, who is a government official, falsified evidence to be used in court proceedings. If Japan grants the dissolution order based on fabricated evidence, it will become a disgrace to the world.” – Attorney Shinichi Tokunaga (on X)

Hamada asked if the Ministry had any response to the charge that the government had purposely fabricated witness testimonies in order to smear the church. As if in admission of guilt, the Ministry’s representative did not deny the charge.

Hamada concluded that the government’s failure to respond was “significant,” calling the legitimacy of the entire process into question.

“The government seeks to dissolve the church and liquidate and absorb all assets. The church will cease to exist.”

Who Are the Architects of the Dissolution Campaign?

The driving force behind this case is a political-legal alliance. MEXT has relied heavily on the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales (NNLASS) – a group of leftist lawyers formed in the 1980s to oppose the Unification Church and its anti-communist stance.

In 1987, NNLASS founder Hiroshi Yamaguchi stated plainly:

“The aim of the lawyers’ association is to convince the Ministry of Education to revoke the religious corporation status of the Unification Church.”

That campaign, dormant for decades, is now being carried out – under the pretense of protecting “public welfare.”

The Real Reason: Ideological Hostility

For over 60 years, the Family Federation has stood for God, family, and freedom. Rev. and Dr. Moon founded the International Federation for Victory Over Communism (IFVOC) to counter Marxist ideology with spiritual truth. In Japan, IFVOC worked closely with leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party, including Prime Minister Abe and his predecessors. This made the movement a prime target for ideological opponents.

“This is the final war against the Unification Church.” – Kazuo Shii, Chairman, Japanese Communist Party.

Based on the evidence and statements presented in the Akahata and Sunday Mainichi [See editor’s note below] interviews with Kazuo Shii, it is clear that this war was never about FFWPU’s religious practices or political controversy – but the endpoint of an organized, 45-year ideological war.

However, it gets worse.

Religious Freedom in Japan Is Under Threat – And It’s Spreading

Governments in Rwanda, Kenya, and the Czech Republic have already followed Japan’s lead in restricting or shutting down religious organizations based on a reinterpretation of the law to revoke religious freedoms. If Japan – a respected liberal democracy – can do this, others will follow.

At the 2025 International Religious Freedom Summit, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich issued a warning that could not be clearer:

“A government which can block you from approaching God can block you from anything. This is a key test of the future of Japan – a key test of the future of religious liberty.”

Our Response

Silence is not an option. Sign the petition. Share it with your friends and family. Let Japan know we are watching.

PETITION TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN JAPAN

https://peacestartswithme.lpages.co/religious-freedom-petition

To our members: remain steadfast in faith. We are preparing our appeal and we will not stop until this injustice is overturned. The Family Federation was born to stand for truth and freedom – and we are not afraid.

Rev. Demian Dunkley
President, FFWPU USA

[Editor’s note: “Akahata” (Red flag) is short for Shimbun Akahata, the party organ daily newspaper of the Japanese Communist Party. The “Sunday Mainichi” is the Sunday edition of “Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan’s largest national dailies.]

See also statement by international HQ

See also statement by European movement

Featured image above: Entrance of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) headquarters of Japan (Tokyo, Japan). Photo: Asanagi / Wikimedia Commons. Public domain image. Cropped 

Related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: “Poorly Compiled Evidence Including Falsehoods”

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Huge Scandal: “Ministry Is Falsifying Affidavits”

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Japan’s New Laws to Curb New Religious Movements

Also related to unjust ruling in impact dissolution case: New Law Designed to Bankrupt Family Federation

Also related to unjust ruling in impact dissolution case: Religious Faith Framed as Mental Health Concern

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Terms from Consumer Law Used to Rob Faith

And also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: New Law Manufacturing “Victims”, Dividing Families

And also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Maverick Minister Lets “3 Foxes in the Henhouse”

More, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Journalist Reveals Ugly Leftwing Conspiracy

And more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Militant Lawyers Dictate Government Policy

And more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Courts Using Debunked Concepts Against Minority

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Dissolution Case: Wild Claims, Illegal Actions

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: 2nd-Generation Members Protesting Persecution

Also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Inhuman Government-Supported Mass Deprogramming

And also related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Bias: No Right to Respond for Religious Minority

More, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Collusion to Rob Minority of Its Rights

And more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: State and Media Creating “Today’s Non-Citizens”

Still more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Japan Criticized for Glaring Rights Violations

Even more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Two European Scholars Warning Japan

And yet more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Japan Censured at Religious Freedom Event

And still more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Lawyer Exposes Dirty Leftwing Plot

And even more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Inhuman Government-Supported Mass Deprogramming

And still more, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Malicious One-Sided Government Source Selection

More, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Government’s Foul Play Pointed Out

More, related to unjust ruling in dissolution case: Kishida Has Opened Can of Worms