Ex-Unification Church branches closed, followers left adrift
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A notice posted March 9 at the entrance of the headquarters of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward reads, “Entry to this facility without the permission of the liquidator is prohibited.” (Yuki Hanano)
Liquidators are swiftly carrying out procedures against the former Unification Church, forcing the shutdown of branches, dormitories and services around the nation and sending its followers into disarray and sadness.
The church, officially called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, filed a special appeal with the Supreme Court on March 9 against the court-ordered dissolution.
However, the Tokyo High Court’s upholding of the Tokyo District Court’s order allowed the liquidation process to begin.
The government requested the dissolution order over the church’s long history of shady donation-collection practices. The courts agreed that the church had caused financial damage to followers and their families while also harming society.
Around noon on March 4, about an hour after the high court issued its decision, a group of about 20 liquidators, representatives and security guards entered the church’s headquarters in a high-end residential area of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward.
According to a church official, the liquidators instructed staff to “cease operations” and requested passwords for computers and other equipment.
The work continued until about 7 p.m., when church employees were told to gather their personal belongings and leave the premises.
Since March 5, staff members have been instructed to remain on standby at home for possible summoning by the liquidators.
The church has also lost access to its official website and internal portal system, restricting its ability to issue public messages.
Read more https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16410258
Content retrieved from: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/16410258.
