Symposium on Religious Freedom Held by Scholars and Religious Leaders from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan

Chiyoda, Tokyo

On February 8, the 31st International Symposium on Unification Thought was held in Chiyoda, Tokyo, organized by Korea’s Unification Thought Institute, Hyojeong International Academic Foundation, and the Professors World Peace Academy, among others. The symposium, themed “The Religious Freedom and Human Rights for World Peace,” brought together approximately 50 scholars and religious leaders from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The discussions focused on the academic examination of religious freedom and human rights as the foundation for world peace.

Morning Session: Opening Ceremony and Main Presentations

During the morning session, following the organizers’ opening remarks, two scholars from Japan and Korea took the stage to present their research, focusing on issues surrounding religious freedom and human rights in Japan and Northeast Asia.

Professor Shin Ahn of Pai Chai University and President of the Korean Association for Religious Studies delivered a lecture titled “Religious Freedom and Human Rights in a Trump Second Term.” In his talk, Professor Ahn addressed the dissolution order request against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) in Japan. He noted:

“Historically, dissolution orders in Japan have only been issued in cases of criminal violations. However, the request for the dissolution of FFWPU is based on civil law violations, which deviates from established standards. This raises questions about why the Japanese government has chosen such an atypical approach toward a religious organization.”

Professor Jeong Won Na of Kangwon National University presented an analysis on “Religious Freedom and Human Rights in Modern Japan from a Global Historical Perspective.”

Afternoon Session: Panel Discussions

Panel 1: Religious Freedom and Human Rights

The first panel session featured presentations by Hui-Chen Hsu (Renmin Univ. Taiwan), Professor Masaki Nakamasa (Kanazawa University, Japan), Professor Minji Kim (Sun Moon University, Korea), Former Professor Seishiro Sugihara (Musashino Women’s University, Japan), Professor Gue Sik Hwang (Hebrew Graduate School, Korea).

Professor Nakamasa argued that:
“The backlash against the former Unification Church is not due to doctrinal or legal issues, but rather emotional factors. People tend to have strong aversions to religious groups whose doctrines closely resemble their own. The feeling of ‘unforgivable’ comes first, followed by doctrinal criticism.”

He also referred to John Locke’s “A Letter Concerning Toleration,” explaining that in 17th-century England, Anglicans harbored similar emotions toward Catholics. He emphasized the need to overcome stereotypes against religious beliefs and ideologies.

Professor Kim introduced the concept of “Maternal Womb Faith” in Korea, where faith is passed down from parents to children within the family. She noted that this concept became widely recognized among Christians during Korea’s rapid modernization. However, she contrasted this with Japan, where social groups influence individual beliefs more than family ties. This, she argued, could be a reason why the Family Federation’s emphasis on family culture is perceived as forced faith transmission in Japan, leading to resistance.

Former Professor Sugihara raised concerns about possible false statements in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s petition for the dissolution of FFWPU. He pointed out that:
“In criminal cases, evidence must be carefully examined for credibility before it is accepted. However, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology lacks proper means to verify evidence and yet has submitted questionable ‘evidence’ as grounds for dissolution. The current dissolution process deviates from the fundamental principles of the Religious Corporations Act.”

Panel 2: Unification Thought and Peace

The second panel discussion featured: Professor Jinsu Hwang (Sun Moon University, Korea), Most Ven. Bogeom (President, Asian Buddhist Peace Conference, Korea), Professor Kang Hwamyung Kang (President, Korean Society for Unification Thought, Korea), Akiyoshi Kinami (Chief Researcher, Japan Institute of Unification Thought, Japan), Professor Yeonhee An (Sun Moon University, Korea)

Ven. Bogeom presented on “Buddhist Tolerance and Religious Peace,” emphasizing:
“Buddhism, as a religion of wisdom and compassion, views the world as a single flower. Regardless of nationality, ethnicity, race, or religion, we are all bound by a shared destiny. Politics aims to grant material happiness to people, while religion seeks to provide spiritual freedom. It is essential that they coexist without interfering with one another, maintaining harmony for mutual existence.”

Closing Remarks

At the closing session, presenters and participants from Japan and Korea shared their reflections. They reaffirmed the importance of academic exchanges among Japan, Korea, and Taiwan in safeguarding religious freedom and democracy.