The Tokyo District Court will hold a hearing on the 22nd to hear opinions from both the government and the church. This is the first time that a country and church, which are in direct conflict with each other, are directly exchanging arguments.
The church's president, Tomihiro Tanaka, will make a statement, as well as discuss how to proceed with the hearing. Based on interviews with more than 170 victims, the government has argued that the cult's actions are illegal acts under civil law.