The assassination of Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has shone a light on the Moon Movement, also called the Unity Church or the Family Federation for World Peace and Unity.

The perpetrator has stated that his motive was Abe's connection to the religious organization.

According to him, the church must have ruined his family after his mother donated more than 100 million yen (about 8 million kroner.) About half of the money must have been paid back, the church says.

Accused of brainwashing members

Over the years, the Moon movement has been accused of brainwashing its members into donating large sums of money.

Since the 1980s, defectors have sued the church for tricking them into donating money.

After Abe's murder, more ex-members, who previously hesitated to talk about their experiences for fear of social stigma, have come forward publicly.

- There is a large amount of darkness.

It is common knowledge that only a fraction of victims report, said Takashi Yamaguchi, one of the 300 lawyers who represent victims.

According to Yamaguchi, families risk being affected for several generations to come.

- Whoever murdered Abe was a member of the second generation.

He came from a pretty good background and judging by the high school he went to, he was quite talented.

So if their financial situation had not been ruined by the Church of Emighet and his mother had joined, he might have been able to go to university, but now he was forced to give it up.

Japan – a cash cow for the church

The Moon movement was founded in South Korea in 1954 but quickly spread to Japan.

According to experts, Japan serves as a financial hub for the church.

Japanese members are taught that they need to atone for their country's wartime occupation of Korea, including through large donations.

- The business model consists of pressuring Japan for money that is sent to South Korea.

The money is then invested in the US, says Yamaguchi.

Last week, the church announced it was taking steps to ensure its donations are not coerced or harmful to followers or their families, the AP reports.

More about the murder of Shinzo Abe and the Unity Church in the Foreign Office: The sectarian murder on SVT Play from 19.30 or 22.00 on SVT2.