International Coalition for Religious
Freedom
Field Report
The Kidnap Ministry: Japan’s Hidden Crime Against Religious
Liberty
Appendix A
Court Testimony
"(During my confinement) Minister Mamoru Takazawa told me about one UC-J member, Keiji Okamoto. He tried
to escape from his sixth floor prison. He jumped from the sixth floors, hit the ground and was seriously injured.
Takazawa said that if Keiji ever recovers his memory (and tries to return to the UC), then he would confine him
again without a second thought."
-Hisayo Hashimoto
Kidnapping Victim (10/18/94-1/9/95)
Testimony for Kobe District Court
March 20, 1995
"About ten years ago, I began confining UC-J members."
"Sometimes I go with parents to kidnap UC-J members. I even kidnapped a three-month pregnant woman."
"(my method is to) ask the parents of a UC member to bring a knife. I say to the member, if you really believe
in the UC... then kill me and go out."
-Mamoru Takazawa, Protestant Minister
Kirisuto-Kyo Kobe Shim Church
Testimony for Kobe District Court,
Case Hese 4 (Wa) 1732
July 9, 1996
"I tried to persuade at least 50 believers to leave the UC. I remember the names of 50 but the actual number
was more than 50."
"To prevent confined UC-J members from escaping, I locked their apartment windows, hid their shoes, and stood
guard over them... I do not think this activity is illegal."
Yoshio Shimizu, UCCJ Minister
UCCJ Ota Hachiman Church
Testimony to Takasaki Branch of Gunma
District Court
Case Hese 5 Nen 6 Nen (Wa) 458.238.331
July 11, 1996.
"I tried to stop the kidnappers. I stood in front of them and raised both my hands. Two of them came at me
from both sides. They grabbed my hands and pinned me to the door. Another man punched me about ten times in my
face. A fourth man shot me several times with an electric stun-gun. I fell to the ground, immobilized, while blood
poured from my mouth."
-Myonsop No, Minister
Totorri Prefecture Branch UC-J
Testimony for Totorri District Court
August 6, 1997
"He (Minister Yoshio Shimizu) hit my face... my shoulders... and tried to kick my face. During this period
I tried to commit suicide three times. I cut my hand and my arm, but each time (I started) I remembered God and
stopped. I knew God would feel sorrow if I killed myself."
-Mitsuko Ishikawa Antal
Kidnapping Victim (5/16/98-7/26/98)
Testimony for Hachioji District Court
January 15, 1999
"A group of people lifted me into the air. Someone grabbed my legs. Someone else grabbed my waist. I was terrified...
I cried for help... I shouted, ‘Stop, I don’t want to go!’ Still they began to carry me... I tried to resist...
I even tried clinging to the door frame, but someone pried my hands free and they carried me into their van."
-Hiroko Tomizawa
Kidnapping Victim (6/7/97-9/15/98)
Testimony for Totorri District Court
April 1, 1999
"Minister Mamoru Takazawa visited me (in my prison)... every time he hit my back or hit my knees so hard (the
blow) made a loud ‘CRACK.’
"He showed me seven keys to the prisons of seven different UC-J members. He seemed proud he could confine
seven UC-J members simultaneously."
-Hiroko Tomizawa
Kidnapping Victim (6/7/97-9/15/98)
Testimony for Totorri District Court
April 1, 1999
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