Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

TOKYO, Japan, March 26 Kyodo - Tomihiro Tanaka, head of the Unification Church's Japan branch, holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 25, 2025, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

TOKYO, Japan, March 26 Kyodo - Video taken on March 25, 2025, shows a building housing the Unification Church in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The Tokyo District Court ordered the same day the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages. (Kyodo)

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Tomihiro Tanaka (R), head of the Unification Church's Japan branch, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 25, 2025, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Tomihiro Tanaka, head of the Unification Church's Japan branch, holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 25, 2025, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Tomihiro Tanaka, head of the Unification Church's Japan branch, holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 25, 2025, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Photo taken on March 25, 2025, shows a building housing the Unification Church in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The Tokyo District Court ordered the same day the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Tomihiro Tanaka, head of the Unification Church's Japan branch, holds a press conference in Tokyo on March 25, 2025, after the Tokyo District Court ordered the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Photo taken on March 25, 2025, shows a building housing the Unification Church in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. The Tokyo District Court ordered the same day the church's dissolution, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Lawyer Nobuya Fukumoto (front) is surrounded by journalists in front of the Tokyo District Court in the Japanese capital on March 25, 2025, after the court ordered that his client, the Unification Church, be dissolved, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Lawyer Nobuya Fukumoto (front) is surrounded by journalists in front of the Tokyo District Court in the Japanese capital on March 25, 2025, after the court ordered that his client, the Unification Church, be dissolved, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Lawyer Nobuya Fukumoto (front) is surrounded by journalists in front of the Tokyo District Court in the Japanese capital on March 25, 2025, after the court ordered that his client, the Unification Church, be dissolved, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Japan court orders dissolution of Unification Church

Journalists gather around the Tokyo District Court in the Japanese capital on March 25, 2025. The court ordered the same day that the Unification Church be dissolved, a decision that will deprive the controversial organization, criticized for soliciting financially ruinous donations from its members, of its status as a religious corporation with tax advantages.

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Marguerite Stern, author of the book Transmania. About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Dora Moutot, author of the book Transmania. About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Dora Moutot, author of the book Transmania. About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Dora Moutot, author of the book Transmania. About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Marguerite Stern, author of the book Transmania. About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

Demonstration Against The Authors Of "Transmania" - Paris

About 150 people protested in Paris, France on April 6, 2024, responding to the call of associations committed against transphobia, to oppose Pantheon-Assas University s organization of a conference featuring the authors of the controversial book Transmania by Dora Moutot and Marguerite Stern. Photo by Pierrick Villette/ABACAPRESS.COM

Georgia: Thousands Protest In Tbilisi As Parliament Approves 2nd Reading Of ‘Foreign Influence’ Bill 2

Thousands gathered to protest in Tbilisi on Wednesday night, May 1 after Georgia’s parliament approved the second reading of the “foreign influence” bill. The controversial bill, also known as 'Russian Law,' requires any independent NGO or media organization funded from abroad to register as agents "pursuing the interests of a foreign power."

New facts emerge in Moscow on ex-JCP chief Nosaka

New facts emerge in Moscow on ex-JCP chief Nosaka

TOKYO, Japan - Three newly unearthed coded letters written by Sanzo Nosaka (file photo), a controversial Japanese Communist Party leader who was later expelled by his party and died seven years ago at age 101, shed light on his underground life in the United States after he sneaked into the country in 1934 as an agent for Comintern -- the international communist organization headed by Soviet ruler Joseph Stalin.

Zdenek Hrib, Simon Panek

Zdenek Hrib, Simon Panek

The 21st One World festival of human rights films opened today, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Prague, Czech Republic, with a speech delivered by Tibetan prime minister in exile Lobsang Sangay who warned against the threat of Chinese investments in the world and who presented the Homo Homini award to Nicaraguan farmer Francisca Ramirez. The Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need awarded Ramirez for her determination to stand up against land appropriation and the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega and his wife. Ramirez triggered massive protests against a controversial Chinese project of the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Last summer she had to flee to the neighbouring Costa Rica. On the photo chat the Executive Director of the People in Need humanitarian organization Simon Panek, left, and Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lobsang Sangay, Simon Panek

Lobsang Sangay, Simon Panek

The 21st One World festival of human rights films opened today, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Prague, Czech Republic, with a speech delivered by Tibetan prime minister in exile Lobsang Sangay who warned against the threat of Chinese investments in the world and who presented the Homo Homini award to Nicaraguan farmer Francisca Ramirez. The Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need awarded Ramirez for her determination to stand up against land appropriation and the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega and his wife. Ramirez triggered massive protests against a controversial Chinese project of the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Last summer she had to flee to the neighbouring Costa Rica. On the photo chat the Executive Director of the People in Need humanitarian organization Simon Panek, left, shake hands with Lobsang Sangay. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Simon Panek, Ondrej Kamenicky, Francisca Ramirez

Simon Panek, Ondrej Kamenicky, Francisca Ramirez

The 21st One World festival of human rights films opened today, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Prague, Czech Republic, with a speech delivered by Tibetan prime minister in exile Lobsang Sangay who warned against the threat of Chinese investments in the world and who presented the Homo Homini award to Nicaraguan farmer Francisca Ramirez (photo). The Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need awarded Ramirez for her determination to stand up against land appropriation and the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega and his wife. Ramirez triggered massive protests against a controversial Chinese project of the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Last summer she had to flee to the neighbouring Costa Rica. On the photo the Executive Director of the People in Need humanitarian organization Simon Panek, left, and One World festival director Ondrej Kamenicky are introduced to Francisca Ramirez. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lobsang Sangay, Francisca Ramirez, Zdenek Hrib, Simon Panek

Lobsang Sangay, Francisca Ramirez, Zdenek Hrib, Simon Panek

The 21st One World festival of human rights films opened today, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, in Prague, Czech Republic, with a speech delivered by Tibetan prime minister in exile Lobsang Sangay (right) who warned against the threat of Chinese investments in the world and who presented the Homo Homini award to Nicaraguan farmer Francisca Ramirez (centre). The Czech humanitarian organisation People in Need awarded Ramirez for her determination to stand up against land appropriation and the authoritarian rule of President Daniel Ortega and his wife. Ramirez triggered massive protests against a controversial Chinese project of the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. Last summer she had to flee to the neighbouring Costa Rica. The second from right sits Simon Panek, Executive Director of the People in Need humanitarian organization, the second from left Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)