Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

A Japanese court orders the dissolution of the Unification Church, report says

Mar 25, 2025 | 12:33 AM

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court on Tuesday issued an order to dissolve the Unification Church, upholding the government request for a revocation, NHK television said.

Tokyo District Court’s revocation of the church’s legal status means it will lose its tax-exempt privilege and must liquidate its assets.

The church can still appeal the decision to higher courts.

The order follows a request by Japan’s Education Ministry in October 2023 to dissolve the influential South Korea-based sect, citing its manipulative fundraising and recruitment tactics, sowing fear of the followers and harming their families.

The Associated Press

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.