Unification Church questioned by government for third time

Published February 7, 2023 By admin with Comments 1

Japan’s Cultural Affairs Agency said Tuesday it has received answers to a third set of questions it sent to the controversial religious group known as the Unification Church.

The agency will consider whether to seek a court order for the group’s dissolution, based on how organized, malicious and persistent its actions have been.

An official of the group said it did its best to respond appropriately to the questions by the Tuesday deadline. The government is able to solicit answers to its questions by exercising its right to do so under a related law.

Culture Minister Keiko Nagaoka told a news conference that the agency may demand additional reports or ask more questions after analyzing the answers that were submitted.

According to the agency, the latest set of questions covered a total of about 80 items about the group’s organization and operations, finances, donations, money sent to and received from overseas, and salaries and other payments to its employees.

In the first and second round of questions in November and December, respectively, the agency requested the group to submit materials about its organization and operations, finances, and lawsuits involving the group, and to report on how it has observed its 2009 pledge of compliance.

Content retrieved from: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/02/07/national/unification-church-questioned-third-time/.