Japanese court orders dissolution of controversial Unification Church

ISTANBUL

A Japanese court on Tuesday ordered the dissolution of the controversial Unification Church, a religious cult founded in 1954, according to local media.

The plea to dissolve the cult was filed by the Education and Culture Ministry in 2023.

The Tokyo District Court's order “will deprive the controversial organization of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages, although it will still be allowed to operate in Japan,” Kyodo News reported.

The Unification Church, a religious group, is known for its mass weddings and aggressive donation solicitations.

It was founded by a staunch anti-communist group in South Korea in 1954 and is often labeled as a cult.

Alleged links of the members of the country's ruling party with the controversial cult have dealt the party a blow in public confidence.