A meeting to exercise the right to ask questions about the former Unification Church What will happen in the future?

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology held its first expert meeting on the 25th to exercise the "right to ask questions" based on the Religious Corporations Law over the former Unification Church, and revealed that it would indicate the specific direction of the standards as early as next month. I made it

"Right to question" means that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and prefectural governments can request reports and ask questions about the actual state of management, etc., when there is a suspicion that a religious corporation is subject to a dissolution order. there is no.

We have summarized the discussions at the expert meeting and the future focus.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology held its first expert meeting on the 25th after receiving instructions from Prime Minister Kishida to conduct an investigation by exercising the right to ask questions about large donations to the former Unification Church. About 20 people attended.

At the beginning of the meeting, Tetsuo Goda, Deputy Director-General of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, said, ``I would like to have discussions from various angles in order to establish general standards for the right to ask questions, and I would like to show a certain direction at the next meeting.'' It has been revealed that the next direction will be shown at the next meeting to be held on the 8th of next month.

The proceedings were closed to the public, and according to the explanation of the person in charge, members of the committee expressed the opinion that ``the standards should be specified from the perspective of the maliciousness and continuity of the case,'' and ``freedom of religion, such as not to interfere in religious acts. There was also an opinion that it should be a standard that considers

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will prepare a draft question based on the standards to be determined by the expert panel in the future, and will exercise the "right to question" the former Unification Church within this year.

And if we find out the facts that may be applicable to the dissolution order, we will consider filing a request to the court.

history and background

The problem of the former Unification Church became apparent again in the wake of the shooting incident of former Prime Minister Abe in July this year.

Lawyers working to help victims of large-scale donations began to call on the government to request the court to order the dissolution of the church. has taken a cautious position.

During this time, however, the approval rating of the Kishida Cabinet has fallen against the backdrop of this issue and the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe.

Opposition parties have stepped up their pursuit, demanding the dismissal of Minister of State for Economic Revitalization Yamagiwa, whose relationship with the church was revealed.

Under these circumstances, Prime Minister Kishida announced on the 17th of this month, the first day of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, that he would exercise his "right to ask questions" based on the Religious Corporation Law.

We have decided to respond with a view to ordering the dissolution of the church.

It seems that the church aimed to change the situation by clarifying its position to take a rigorous response before being pursued by the opposition party.

Future focus

The government plans to conduct an investigation by exercising the "right to ask questions" within the year.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Kishida stated on the 18th of this month that the requirements for requesting a dissolution order "do not include unlawful acts under the Civil Code", but in response to the opposition party's point out, the next day he changed his mind and said, "It is possible to enter. ', and various parties criticized that it was ``changed in the morning and evening'', and there was also a reception that ``the hurdles for ordering dissolution have been lowered''.

The government has a policy of accumulating objective facts through investigations, and has indicated that it is possible to make a claim if sufficient grounds are available even in the middle stage.

On the other hand, the opposition parties are saying, ``The facts have already accumulated, and we should request an immediate dissolution order,'' and the biggest focus will be on when and what kind of conclusion the government will make.

“I want you to exercise your right to ask questions in an effective manner.”

Under the name of "Sayuri Ogawa", a second-generation woman of the former Unification Church who complained about the donations made by her parents and the mental damage she suffered was to exercise her "right to ask questions" at the expert meeting. Regarding the start of the discussion, ``It is a difficult issue due to religious freedom, but it has been clearly stated that illegal acts under civil law can be included in the requirements for requesting a dissolution order, so it is a big step for us victims. It is the worst thing to do if it becomes empty, so I would like you to exercise your right to ask questions in a solid and effective manner."

On the other hand, "Mr. Ogawa" said that he could not be relieved until it was clarified how long the procedure would take, and said, "There are still people who are suffering, including minor children. The more time it takes, the more our children will lose their future, just like me.I think the former Unification Church will come up with countermeasures, so please take action as soon as possible." I sued.