Experts’ Group Calling for Fair and Impartial Trials Holds Press Conference

Experts point out unreasonable treatment in relation to the dissolution order against the former Unification Church

Concerns raised over adverse impact on the religious community as a whole

In March 2025, the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order against the former Unification Church (now the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification). Because this ruling could affect many religious corporations, legal experts and religious leaders held a press conference in Tokyo on August 6, 2025, calling for a re-examination of its legal validity and for the realization of a fair trial.

The “Group of Experts Calling for Fair and Impartial Trials,” represented by attorney Tatsuki Nakayama, was established by concerned experts who regard the ruling as unjust. Attorney Nakayama pointed out, “This ruling lacks sufficient evidence and relies excessively on civil cases from more than 30 years ago.” He emphasized that if dissolution is permitted on this basis, many religious corporations could face dissolution in the future. He further appealed, “Based on the principle of separation of powers, what is required above all is judicial independence and fair trial proceedings.”

The principle of trial based on evidence requires that judgments be grounded in clear proof. Nakayama criticized the ruling’s reliance on the assumption of “potential harm” to establish tort liability, calling it a violation of the evidentiary responsibility fundamental to the principle of trials based on evidence. He also noted that objective facts—such as the church’s compliance declaration of 2009 and the subsequent decline in lawsuits—were not reflected in the ruling.

Other experts and religious leaders then shared their views. Former House of Councillors member Satoshi Hamada pointed out that documents from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which formed the basis for the dissolution order, were subject to allegations of falsification that were never dismissed in the Diet, and called for close judicial examination. Nonfiction writer Masumi Fukuda stressed the importance of fair legal judgment grounded in facts. She also noted that Family Federation members are suffering from unjust treatment, prejudice, and discrimination in society, and strongly insisted that “such unreasonable treatment must not be tolerated.”

Masaki Nakamasa, professor at Kanazawa University and a former member, remarked, “The theory of mind control that has spread in society lacks scientific basis, and failing to hear from current members cannot be considered fair.” Former Musashino Women’s University professor Seishiro Sugihara criticized the insufficient verification of victim testimonies used in the ruling, condemning the district court’s decision as “an unjust ruling that denies the principle of trial based on evidence.”

Christian pastor Haruhisa Nakagawa warned that prejudice among religions threatens freedom of faith, and appealed for self-discipline within churches and promotion of interreligious dialogue. Buddhist priest Masamichi Mizuta expressed grave concern: “If religious corporations can be dissolved on grounds of civil torts, the legal stability of the religious world as a whole will be undermined.” Islamic commentator Humayun Mughal, drawing on more than 40 years of experience with the Family Federation in Japan, testified, “Believers are devout and humble, and I have never seen any involved in crime.” He strongly urged judges to make “fair judgments based on law and conscience.”

The press conference also highlighted the problem of exclusionary movements against the Family Federation in the judiciary, media, and politics, driven by prejudice and emotional arguments. Pastor Nakagawa appealed, “The current situation in which believers are socially isolated and discriminated against cannot be ignored.”

The group has gathered signatures from over 350 experts in Japan and abroad, strongly demanding a fair trial at the High Court. They also called on society to foster calm and objective debate in order to safeguard freedom of religion and legal stability.

This press conference raised issues concerning the judicial ruling and social treatment of the former Unification Church from professional and legal perspectives. Given the constitutional significance of dissolving a religious corporation, the maintenance of equality under the law and fair judicial procedures is strongly demanded by society. The upcoming High Court trial is drawing both domestic and international attention as a historic judgment that will test the foundations of freedom of religion and democracy.