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July 24, 2026
 

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UNIFICATION CHURCH

People observe a moment of silence in Nara on Wednesday, which marks four years since the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jul 8, 2026
Abe remembered four years after fatal shooting
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot on July 8, 2022, during a stump speech in front of Kintetsu Railway¡¯s Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara.
Japan's Supreme Court has upheld lower court rulings ordering the dissolution of the controversial religious group known as the Unification Church.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Jun 23, 2026
Japan top court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church
This is the first time the top court has finalized a dissolution order for a religious corporation over unlawful acts under the Civil Code.
The Tokyo headquarters of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, more commonly known as the Unification Church, in August 2022
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
May 21, 2026
Unification Church liquidator begins accepting claims
The losses claims will be accepted until May 20 next year, with eligible claimants including followers, former followers of the group and their family members.
In March 2025, the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order to the Unification Church, following a request from the culture ministry.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Apr 23, 2026
At least ?40 billion secured in Unification Church liquidation
Claims of losses from large donations to the Unification Church will be accepted for a year from May 20.
Followers of the Unification Church are preparing to establish a new organization following a Tokyo High Court order to dissolve the group, though the timing has yet to be decided.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 3, 2026
Unification Church followers consider new organization to continue practices
The planned organization may not have legal status, but would accept donations and manage funds.
Lawyer Hisashi Ito (right), who was appointed as liquidator of the Unification Church, speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Mar 9, 2026
Unification Church appeals dissolution order to top court
The special appeal came after the Tokyo High Court last week upheld the dissolution order issued by the Tokyo District Court.
The Japan branch of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, widely known as the Unification Church
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Mar 4, 2026
Tokyo High Court orders Unification Church to dissolve
The high court on Wednesday upheld a lower court¡¯s decision last year that stripped the group of its status as a religious organization.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi giving a campaign speech in Shiroishi Town, Saga Prefecture, on Thursday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Feb 6, 2026
Takaichi keeps mum on tax cut and Unification Church
Hoping to turn Takaichi¡¯s silence into a focal point of the election campaign, opposition parties have ramped up their criticism.
The Tokyo High Court building in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Feb 4, 2026
Tokyo court to rule on Unification Church dissolution order on March 4
If the high court upholds the dissolution order, it will take effect regardless of whether the religious group appeals to the Supreme Court.
A protester rallies in Nara on Jan. 21 against the life sentence handed down to Tetsuya Yamagami for fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Feb 4, 2026
Assassin of Shinzo Abe files appeal against life sentence
Tetsuya Yamagami reportedly agreed to appeal after strong persuasion from his lawyers.
Centrist Reform Alliance co-leader Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a debate at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jan 30, 2026
Takaichi reportedly hid Unification Church¡¯s fundraiser ticket purchases
The purchases contradict Takaichi¡¯s past denial of financial ties to the controversial religious group, according to a magazine.
The perpetrator behind the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022 was motivated by his belief that Abe had ties with the controversial Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, widely known as the Unification Church.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 21, 2026
Rescue for victims of religious parents still lacking in Japan
An expert emphasized the importance of continuing to review support systems for such victims, amid lackluster progress in aid and awareness activities.
The Unification Church¡¯s headquarters in Seoul
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 2, 2026
Unification Church reportedly backed 290 LDP lawmakers in 2021 poll
The figure compares with the Liberal Democratic Party¡¯s announcement in 2022 that 180 of its lawmakers had ties with the group.
Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee arrives for a hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on Aug.12.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Dec 29, 2025
South Korea¡¯s ex-first lady accused of taking over $200,000 in bribes
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, also ¡°illegally intervened in state affairs behind the scenes,¡± prosecutors say.
Tetsuya Yamagami in Nara in July 2022. Earlier that month Yamagami had shot the former prime minister with an improvised shotgun at point-blank range.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal / FOCUS
Dec 23, 2025
The making of Shinzo Abe¡¯s assassin
Tetsuya Yamagami¡¯s path to the assassination had many turning points, but his alarm over the Unification Church¡¯s ties with the prime minister, and financial woes, drove him on.
The Unification Church headquarters in Seoul. Police raided the headquarters on Monday and named its leader as a suspect in the bribery of several high-profile politicians.
ASIA PACIFIC / Crime & Legal
Dec 15, 2025
South Korea raids Unification Church headquarters over bribery case
The church is at the center of a mounting scandal in South Korea over alleged payments to lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties.
Couples attend a Unification Church mass wedding ceremony at Cheongshim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea, in February 2020. The church, known for its mass weddings, is currently being investigated on charges of unlawful donations linked to former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 11, 2025
South Korean minister resigns over alleged Unification Church funds
Oceans minister Chun Jae-soo is accused of having received 30 million won in cash as well as two luxury watches.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung listens to a reporter¡¯s question during a news conference in Seoul on Dec 3.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 10, 2025
South Korea¡¯s Lee calls for probe into links between religious group and politics
Lee said he had ordered his ministers to consider ways to ¡°disband religious groups that meddle in politics and do strange things with illegal funds.¡±
Tomihiro Tanaka, Japan head of the Unification Church, resigns from his post during a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Dec 9, 2025
Head of Unification Church¡¯s Japan branch resigns
Tomohiro Tanaka explained his resignation as a ¡°moral¡± decision, citing people who have complained about damage from the organization.
The Nara District Court where Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, is on trial for the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe's wife, Akie, attended the trial on Wednesday for the first time.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Crime & Legal
Dec 4, 2025
Man accused of shooting Abe apologizes to former PM¡¯s widow and family
Describing his actions as inexcusable, Tetsuya Yamagami said they caused pain to the former prime minister¡¯s family even though he held no grudge against them.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

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