“(The order) was decided as a foregone conclusion and ignored law and the facts,” the group, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, said in a statement.

Susumu Murakoshi, leader of a group of lawyers for victims of the Unification Church, expressed disappointment over the appeal, saying, “It is important that (the appeal) be swiftly dismissed and the dissolution order become final for the relief of victims.”

The Tokyo District Court said in its decision on March 25 that Unification Church members’ unjust donation-soliciting activities caused unprecedentedly large damage. It found that the acts constituted a violation of law, a condition for ordering a dissolution under the religious corporations law, as the solicitation method was malicious and there were many people who were seriously affected for a long time.

The order will immediately take effect if the high court issues a similar decision on the matter.

While the Unification Church can continue its religious activities without the religious corporation status, it will have to dispose of assets such as facilities of worship, and will become ineligible for tax breaks.