A Japanese court has ordered the Unification Church to disband. The ruling comes after investigations linked the group to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s assassination in 2022.

Abe’s Killer Blamed the Church

The suspect admitted that he targeted Abe because of the leader’s ties to the church. He claimed the group had bankrupted his family by pressuring his mother into large donations. As a result, the government launched an investigation.

Government Took Action

Japan’s education and culture ministry examined the church’s activities. Officials accused the group of forcing followers to make huge financial sacrifices. Therefore, they asked the court to dissolve the organization.

Court Strips Church of Privileges

A Tokyo district court ruled in favor of the government’s request. Consequently, the church lost its tax-exempt status and must sell its assets. However, it can still operate in Japan. Meanwhile, the Unification Church, also called the "Moonies," defended itself. It argued that donations were part of religious practice. Nevertheless, the group now has the option to appeal the decision.

Authorities Found Financial Exploitation

During the investigation, officials discovered that the church pressured followers to buy expensive items. Moreover, it used fear to manipulate their beliefs. Nearly 200 people reported financial exploitation. The Unification Church began in South Korea and expanded to Japan in the 1960s. Since then, it has promoted marriage as key to spiritual salvation. In addition, the group is famous for its mass wedding ceremonies.

Former Followers Demand Compensation

Since 2023, about 200 former members have sued the church. They claim they were forced to donate large sums. As a result, they are demanding 5.7 billion yen ($38.5 million) in compensation.

Political Ties Sparked National Outrage

Following Abe’s assassination, deeper investigations revealed strong connections between the church and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). A report found that 179 out of 379 LDP lawmakers had links to the group. Some attended church events, while others accepted donations or received election support. These revelations shocked Japan. Consequently, four government ministers resigned. Furthermore, the public grew concerned about the church’s influence in politics.