Former Unification Church says it’s compensating claimants as court ruling nears
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A religious group previously known as the Unification Church says it has returned money in response to damage claims by people including active members. This comes before a possible appellate court order to disband the group next week.
The group has been criticized for its longstanding practice of soliciting massive donations from members and inducing them to buy expensive items by stoking fears about their spiritual well-being.
A group of lawyers supporting former members of the group has demanded that it compensate claimants through collective negotiations.
In a separate move, the group set up its own compensation committee last October to address the issue. The committee is composed of independent lawyers.
On Tuesday, the group said the committee has so far received compensation requests from 316 people and agreed to pay damages to more than 10 of them.
The group added that it has returned a total of 30 million yen, or about 190,000 dollars, to five of the people.
Last year, the Tokyo District Court ordered the group to disband as a religious corporation. It indicated that the group has caused massive damage that has not yet been corrected. The court said the resulting situation cannot be overlooked.
Next Wednesday, a high court is expected to issue a ruling on the group’s appeal of the disband order. If the court issues a new order, procedures for dissolving the group will begin.
The group maintains that it does not need to disband, as it is working to provide restitution to the affected through its compensation committee. It adds that it has engaged in collective mediation.
The group’s dubious fundraising practices came to light in 2022, when the son of a member shot former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo to death.
Editorial note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that the religious group previously known as the Unification Church was a Japanese group.
Content retrieved from: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260225_08/.
