PREVIEW

Japan Orders Dissolution of ‘Moonies’ Church After Abe Assassination Fallout. A Tokyo court has ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, widely known as the "Moonies", following years of controversy and public backlash. The ruling comes nearly two years after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose killer cited Abe’s ties to the church and blamed it for bankrupting his family. Japan’s education and culture ministry requested the disbandment, accusing the church of coercing followers into excessive donations and financial sacrifices. The court's decision strips the church of its tax-exempt status and requires it to liquidate assets, though it may still operate in Japan and has the right to appeal. Authorities interviewed nearly 200 alleged victims, many of whom said they were pressured into buying costly items through spiritual manipulation. The Unification Church, founded in South Korea in the 1960s by Sun Myung Moon, is known for its mass wedding ceremonies and teachings linking marriage to salvation. Since 2023, over 200 former members have sought compensation totalling 5.7 billion yen (about $38.5 million), claiming they were forced to donate large sums. The church argued that all donations were part of legitimate religious practice, rejecting accusations of abuse. Investigations after Abe’s death uncovered the church’s close ties to ruling-party lawmakers, prompting the resignation of four ministers. A party-led probe revealed that 179 of 379 Liberal Democratic Party members had interacted with the church, including attending events and accepting support, sparking nationwide outrage.
Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT