November 8, 2023
The president of the Japanese branch of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (the former Unification Church known as the Moonies), following the filing of a dissolution order request with the court by the government, held a press conference at its head office in Tokyo on November 7 and said, “We cannot accept the request at all.”
Regarding the press conference statement, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira in the Diet building criticized the cult for glossing over its ill deeds in order to evade a dissolution order.
Koike said, “President Tanaka Tomihiro did not acknowledge liability, apologize, or express any remorse. Time has come for the government to request the court to issue a dissolution order and take legal measures to seize the organization’s assets to compensate Unification Church victims.”
Noting that Tanaka explained that problems occurred because “the instructions and guidance from his organization could not sufficiently reach all followers”, Koike said, “It is evading its responsibility by shifting the blame to individual followers.”
Tanaka said, “We have sincerely responded,” to the claim to the return of donations by followers, former followers, and families of followers. However, Koike criticized this remark for running counter to the facts. The total financial damage still amounts to 120 billion yen, according to an estimate by the National Lawyers’ Network against Spiritual Sales, which Tanaka denied as “groundless” during the press conference.
Koike said that the JCP will continue to work to reveal the whole picture in the Diet discussions and hearings regarding the Moonies.
Regarding the press conference statement, Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira in the Diet building criticized the cult for glossing over its ill deeds in order to evade a dissolution order.
Koike said, “President Tanaka Tomihiro did not acknowledge liability, apologize, or express any remorse. Time has come for the government to request the court to issue a dissolution order and take legal measures to seize the organization’s assets to compensate Unification Church victims.”
Noting that Tanaka explained that problems occurred because “the instructions and guidance from his organization could not sufficiently reach all followers”, Koike said, “It is evading its responsibility by shifting the blame to individual followers.”
Tanaka said, “We have sincerely responded,” to the claim to the return of donations by followers, former followers, and families of followers. However, Koike criticized this remark for running counter to the facts. The total financial damage still amounts to 120 billion yen, according to an estimate by the National Lawyers’ Network against Spiritual Sales, which Tanaka denied as “groundless” during the press conference.
Koike said that the JCP will continue to work to reveal the whole picture in the Diet discussions and hearings regarding the Moonies.
