Unification Church Appeals Dissolution Order to Top Court

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–The religious group known as the Unification Church on Monday filed a special appeal to Japan’s Supreme Court against a Tokyo High Court order to dissolve the group. But the liquidation procedures will continue for the group, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, unless the ruling is overturned. The special appeal came after Tokyo High Court last week upheld the dissolution order issued by Tokyo District Court. Under Japanese law, a special appeal is admissible only in limited circumstances, such as alleged violations of the Constitution. The group is expected to argue that Civil Code torts do not constitute “violation of laws” prescribed in the religious corporations law’s dissolution criteria and that the dissolution order infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion. In its ruling issued Wednesday, Tokyo High Court found that damage stemming from improper donation solicitations by followers reached at least 7.4 billion yen over around four decades. The court said that unlawful conduct continued even after the group pledged to enhance its compliance with laws in 2009, adding that there are concerns that similar conduct could continue. It concluded that the root cause lies within the organization itself. “Even taking into account the impact on freedom of religion and other relevant considerations, the dissolution order is necessary and unavoidable,” the court said. Tokyo District Court has already appointed lawyer Hisashi Ito as liquidator, and the liquidation procedures are underway. Masaichi Hori, who had served as head of the religious organization in Japan, stepped down from the post. Following a request from the culture ministry, the district court issued Japan’s first dissolution order for a religious organization based on Civil Code tort liability in March last year. The Unification Church appealed against the decision, but Tokyo High Court upheld the order. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]