The LIREC Study Center expresses its deepest solidarity with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, which has been dissolved by the Japanese government.
This decision appears to violate all the standards of a democratic society like Japan. The unprecedented decision dissolves an organization that has committed no crime and opens the way for similar initiatives against other religious organizations.
The reasons behind this decision are numerous and complex, and stem not from the "danger" of the Federation—formerly known as the Unification Church—to its members or to Japanese society, but rather from the interests of losing politicians seeking votes and the interests of factions hostile to the Federation's decades-long battles for traditional values.
Those responsible for this modern-day witch hunt have failed to understand that, as has happened throughout history, the persecution, banishment, and sacrifice of believers does not extinguish faith and courage, even if it deprives the faithful of necessary resources and goods.
Since 2022, we have worked to support the organization through its troubled history and promote any initiative that might help prevent this disastrous outcome.
Today, we reiterate our support and solidarity with the victims, hoping that the dissemination of reliable information about what happened will be a way for them, and for everyone, to understand the gravity of this latest violation of religious freedom, freedom of association, and freedom of worship, perpetrated by a "democratic" government.
