A Japanese court has ruled that the Unification Church will no longer retain its official recognition, the government announced on Tuesday. As a result, the church will be subject to taxes and required to sell off its assets.

On Tuesday, the Tokyo District Court approved the government’s request to revoke the legal status of the South Korea-based religious organization following an investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The church has the option to appeal this decision in a higher court.

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed during a campaign event by an individual who was enraged by the connections between Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party and the church. Reports at the time indicated that the shooter was disgruntled that his mother had donated approximately 100 million yen ($1 million) to the church.

Subsequent investigations uncovered numerous close relationships between conservative lawmakers and the church.

“This is an ongoing story. More to come…”

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/japan-unification-church-to-be-dissolved-after-court-order/a-72025714?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf