The religious group known as the Unification Church on Monday filed a special appeal to the Supreme Court against a Tokyo High Court order to dissolve the group.

But the liquidation procedures will continue for the group, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, unless the ruling is overturned.

The special appeal came after the Tokyo High Court last week upheld the dissolution order issued by the Tokyo District Court.

Under Japanese law, a special appeal is admissible only in limited circumstances, such as alleged violations of the Constitution.

The group is expected to argue that actions deemed illegal by the Civil Code do not constitute a ¡°violation of laws¡± prescribed in the religious corporations law¡¯s dissolution criteria, and that the dissolution order infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion.

In its ruling issued Wednesday, the Tokyo High Court found that damage stemming from improper donation solicitations by followers reached at least ?7.4 billion over around four decades.

The court said that unlawful conduct continued even after the group pledged to enhance its compliance with laws in 2009, adding that there are concerns that similar conduct could continue. It concluded that the root cause lies within the organization itself.

¡°Even taking into account the impact on freedom of religion and other relevant considerations, the dissolution order is necessary and unavoidable,¡± the court said.

The Tokyo District Court has already appointed lawyer Hisashi Ito as liquidator, and the liquidation procedures are underway. Masaichi Hori, who had served as head of the religious organization in Japan, stepped down from the post.

Following a request from the culture ministry, the district court issued Japan¡¯s first dissolution order for a religious organization based on actions deemed illegal by the Civil Code in March last year. The Unification Church appealed against the decision, but the Tokyo High Court upheld the order.