{"id":17506,"date":"2025-10-16T22:22:25","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T20:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/janfigel.com\/?p=17506"},"modified":"2026-03-23T22:29:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T21:29:43","slug":"japan-the-dissolution-of-the-family-federation-is-arbitrary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/janfigel.com\/sk\/2025\/10\/16\/japan-the-dissolution-of-the-family-federation-is-arbitrary\/","title":{"rendered":"JAPAN: The Dissolution of the Family Federation is \u201cArbitrary\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of Religion Is the Litmus Test of Democracy \u2014 Japan Must Not Fail It<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

By Jan Fige\u013e, Former EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, President of FOREF Europe.
<\/strong>(Dr. Fige\u013e delivered the following address at a distinguished Info Event in Geneva, co-organized by UN-affiliated NGOs and attended by senior United Nations officials)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

In March 2025<\/strong>, the Tokyo District Court, acting under the Civil Code, ordered the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification<\/strong> (formerly the Unification Church<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since this unprecedented decision, I have been deeply concerned. The order lacks a constitutional legal basis and clearly violates Japan\u2019s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights<\/em> (ICCPR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such measures endanger not only one minority faith but others as well, because injustice against one community always threatens all others.<\/strong>
This ruling will have profound implications for the future of religious freedom in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Arbitrary and Politicized Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision rests on questionable evidence and accusations. It lacks substantive foundation and appears to have been driven more by political motives than by law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The court\u2019s decision is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful. It violates basic principles of due process.
For example, the hearings were conducted behind closed doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 81<\/strong> of the Religious Corporations Act<\/em> allows dissolution only when an organization commits illegal acts that seriously harm public welfare.<\/em>
Yet the Tokyo District Court expanded this to include 32 civil cases spanning 40 years<\/strong> involving former members.
Even more troubling, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology changed its interpretation of the law<\/strong> to request dissolution \u2014 something entirely unprecedented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cMissionary activity and voluntary donations were judged to violate \u2018social norms\u2019 and \u2018social fairness.\u2019
These concepts are far too vague, opening the door to arbitrary state power.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014 Jan Fige\u013e<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The UN Human Rights Committee<\/strong> has already recommended that Japan refrain from restricting religious freedom on the basis of \u201cpublic welfare.\u201d
Article 18 of the ICCPR does not allow such restrictions. On the contrary, states are obliged to protect minority religions from hostility by dominant social or political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unscientific Assumptions and Coercive Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan has tolerated forced deprogramming<\/strong> by Protestant pastors.
Many plaintiffs in this case were themselves subjected to coercion, confinement, and so-called \u201cdeprogramming.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even worse, the Tokyo District Court adopted the discredited \u201cmind control\u201d theory<\/strong>, assuming victimhood without evidence.
This demonstrates clear bias and arbitrariness.
Legitimate courts must not be swayed by political pressure or media campaigns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons from History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future of Japanese democracy depends on transparency, accountability, respect for human dignity, and the protection of fair justice for all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politically, it must be said that the movement against the Family Federation has roots in the Japanese Communist Party\u2019s campaigns decades ago.<\/strong>
Marxist atheism lies at the root of this long-standing hostility. Such ideology often inspires attempts to suppress religion, because faith liberates people from the worship of secular values and authoritarian state power.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know this from my own experience.
I lived half my life under communist dictatorship in Czechoslovakia.
My uncle, J\u00e1n<\/strong>, was killed by the secret police.
The regime sought to crush both historic and new religions through coercion \u2014 but it ultimately collapsed peacefully in 1989<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe main force behind peaceful resistance and the fight for freedom in my country was the Christian community \u2014 especially the Catholic Church and other voices of conscience.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A Warning for Japan and the World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the District Court\u2019s decision is confirmed, it will damage Japan\u2019s credibility as a democracy<\/strong> and may endanger other minority religions, including smaller and newer groups such as the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan should learn from the harm caused worldwide by state-imposed ideologies and religious oppression<\/strong>, which have often led to deep divisions.
The state exists to serve all citizens \u2014 not just the majority or a favored group.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of Religion: The Mother of Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religious freedom is the litmus test for all human rights. Why?<\/strong>
Because freedom of religion is inseparable from freedom of thought and conscience.<\/strong>
It belongs to everyone \u2014 believers, non-believers, and atheists alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This inner freedom<\/em> is guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/strong> and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIf inner freedom is not respected, outer freedoms \u2014 speech, press, assembly, association \u2014 will also be endangered.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Freedom begins within each person and is expressed outwardly through acts of faith, family, and community.
Internal freedom is absolute and must be fully respected by the state and its institutions.
External expression can be restricted only if limitations are legal, necessary, and proportionate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope for Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I opposed the dissolution of the Family Federation from the beginning.
I wrote personally to Japan\u2019s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, but received no reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of Religion Is the Litmus Test of Democracy \u2014 Japan Must Not Fail It<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

By Jan Fige\u013e, Former EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, President of FOREF Europe.
<\/strong>(Dr. Fige\u013e delivered the following address at a distinguished Info Event in Geneva, co-organized by UN-affiliated NGOs and attended by senior United Nations officials)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

In March 2025<\/strong>, the Tokyo District Court, acting under the Civil Code, ordered the dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification<\/strong> (formerly the Unification Church<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since this unprecedented decision, I have been deeply concerned. The order lacks a constitutional legal basis and clearly violates Japan\u2019s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights<\/em> (ICCPR).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such measures endanger not only one minority faith but others as well, because injustice against one community always threatens all others.<\/strong>
This ruling will have profound implications for the future of religious freedom in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Arbitrary and Politicized Decision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision rests on questionable evidence and accusations. It lacks substantive foundation and appears to have been driven more by political motives than by law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The court\u2019s decision is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful. It violates basic principles of due process.
For example, the hearings were conducted behind closed doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Article 81<\/strong> of the Religious Corporations Act<\/em> allows dissolution only when an organization commits illegal acts that seriously harm public welfare.<\/em>
Yet the Tokyo District Court expanded this to include 32 civil cases spanning 40 years<\/strong> involving former members.
Even more troubling, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology changed its interpretation of the law<\/strong> to request dissolution \u2014 something entirely unprecedented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cMissionary activity and voluntary donations were judged to violate \u2018social norms\u2019 and \u2018social fairness.\u2019
These concepts are far too vague, opening the door to arbitrary state power.\u201d<\/strong>
\u2014 Jan Fige\u013e<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The UN Human Rights Committee<\/strong> has already recommended that Japan refrain from restricting religious freedom on the basis of \u201cpublic welfare.\u201d
Article 18 of the ICCPR does not allow such restrictions. On the contrary, states are obliged to protect minority religions from hostility by dominant social or political groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unscientific Assumptions and Coercive Practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan has tolerated forced deprogramming<\/strong> by Protestant pastors.
Many plaintiffs in this case were themselves subjected to coercion, confinement, and so-called \u201cdeprogramming.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even worse, the Tokyo District Court adopted the discredited \u201cmind control\u201d theory<\/strong>, assuming victimhood without evidence.
This demonstrates clear bias and arbitrariness.
Legitimate courts must not be swayed by political pressure or media campaigns.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons from History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The future of Japanese democracy depends on transparency, accountability, respect for human dignity, and the protection of fair justice for all.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Politically, it must be said that the movement against the Family Federation has roots in the Japanese Communist Party\u2019s campaigns decades ago.<\/strong>
Marxist atheism lies at the root of this long-standing hostility. Such ideology often inspires attempts to suppress religion, because faith liberates people from the worship of secular values and authoritarian state power.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know this from my own experience.
I lived half my life under communist dictatorship in Czechoslovakia.
My uncle, J\u00e1n<\/strong>, was killed by the secret police.
The regime sought to crush both historic and new religions through coercion \u2014 but it ultimately collapsed peacefully in 1989<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe main force behind peaceful resistance and the fight for freedom in my country was the Christian community \u2014 especially the Catholic Church and other voices of conscience.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A Warning for Japan and the World<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the District Court\u2019s decision is confirmed, it will damage Japan\u2019s credibility as a democracy<\/strong> and may endanger other minority religions, including smaller and newer groups such as the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan should learn from the harm caused worldwide by state-imposed ideologies and religious oppression<\/strong>, which have often led to deep divisions.
The state exists to serve all citizens \u2014 not just the majority or a favored group.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freedom of Religion: The Mother of Human Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Religious freedom is the litmus test for all human rights. Why?<\/strong>
Because freedom of religion is inseparable from freedom of thought and conscience.<\/strong>
It belongs to everyone \u2014 believers, non-believers, and atheists alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This inner freedom<\/em> is guaranteed by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<\/strong> and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIf inner freedom is not respected, outer freedoms \u2014 speech, press, assembly, association \u2014 will also be endangered.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Freedom begins within each person and is expressed outwardly through acts of faith, family, and community.
Internal freedom is absolute and must be fully respected by the state and its institutions.
External expression can be restricted only if limitations are legal, necessary, and proportionate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hope for Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I opposed the dissolution of the Family Federation from the beginning.
I wrote personally to Japan\u2019s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, but received no reply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, international opposition is growing.<\/strong>
Japan has long been respected as a moderate democracy, but its reputation is now at risk.
I hear concerns, shock, and protests<\/strong> from governments and civil society worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How a country treats its minorities \u2014 not its majority \u2014 is the true measure of its democratic credibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

UN Experts\u2019 Concern: Japan\u2019s Policies Breach International Standards<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On 1 October 2025<\/strong>, four United Nations Special Rapporteurs<\/strong> issued a joint statement from Geneva expressing \u201cserious concern over Japan\u2019s continued stigmatization of religious minorities.\u201d<\/em>
Their intervention highlights that the problem goes far beyond a single court decision \u2014 it reflects systemic bias in government policies and public discourse<\/strong>.
(Read the full statement on HRWF \u2192<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Findings of the UN Experts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n