International Coalition for Religious
Freedom
Field Report
by the Japan Task Force: Chris Antal, Norishige Kondo
May 15, 1999
Introduction to ICRF, UN Declaration, Japanese Constitution, Why Persecution?, Explanation of Problem, Proposed Solution, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C,
JTF Mission Statement
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, alone or in community with others, and, in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. -1948
‘Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all’ -1947
(1) The founder of the Unification Church of Japan (UC-J) launched the ‘Victory Over Commuism’ (VOC) campaign, which is the largest anti-communist movment in Japan. Thus Communists oppose the UC-J.
(2) Many youthful converts, inspired by the UC-J doctrine, completely dedicate their time and resources to the UC movement, even sacrificing school and careers. Thus parents oppose the UC-J.
(3) Critical reports of the UC-J sells newspapers and boosts television ratings. Thus mass media opposes the UC-J.
(4) UC doctrine differs from traditional Christian teaching. Thus, Japanese Christian Ministers condemn UC as heretical and oppose the UC-J.
(1) Christian Ministers and Free-lance Vigilantes Manipulate Distraught Parents
In a typical case, parents and/or relatives of an adult convert will conspire with professional faith-breakers to supervise the kidnapping and confinement of their adult child. Professional faith-breakers are primarily Christian Ministers, but anti-religious communists and disaffected members also support them. This insidious assemblage will systematically incite irrational fear in parents of UC-J members, and encourage the parents to confine their children. In Japan, since the late 1980’s, more than 200 members of the UC-J have been kidnapped annually.
(2) Prolonged Arbitrary Detention without Charges
Once captured victims are brought to their own private prison. There, faith-breakers assault confined believers, criticize the UC, its founder and its doctrines, until the victim finally abandons their choosen faith. Even though the criticisms of the faith-breakers are based on misunderstanding and prejudice about the UC, prolonged confinement confuses victims. Eventually, most will believe their fabrications and quit the church. Periods of confinement continue up to two years or more until the member’s faith is broken and he or she denounces the UC-J. Apartments are specially prepared throughout Japan specifically for faith-breaking. Windows, caged with metal bars or other special devices, and doors, specially locked with chains and padlocks, make escape next to impossible. Sometimes walls are soundproofed or, in some cases, victims are transported to rural homes where their cries cannot be heard.
(3) Marriages Broken and Families Divided
Faith-breakers have ruthlessly kidnapped mothers and fathers, dividing families and alienating children.
(4) Faith-breakers, Left-wing Lawyers Groups, and Mass Media Conspire Against the UC-J
Disaffected members are often cajoled by opposing ministers, left wing lawyers and media to engage in anti-UC-J activities. For example, they might provide information about other church members, help ‘rescue’ them from the UC-J, or make negative statements about the UC-J in the mass media and in court trials. Declared apostates, compelled by professional faith-breakers, prove their apostasy by criticizing UC-J activities through television and/or newspaper media. Since their testimonies are often based on inaccurate information given by professional faith-breakers, they mislead public opinion and the judgment of Japanese courts.
(5) Facade of Altruism Conceals Self-interest
The cost of faith-breaking can vary from 2 to 3 million yen or more. In 1998, misinformed parents paid a minister two million yen ($16,000 USD) to arrange the confinement of their adult child. Considering as many as 360 people are kidnapped annually in Japan alone, the faith-breaking industry is big business.
(6) Physical and Emotional Damage caused by Prolonged Detention
Once kidnapped, believers are imprisoned indefinitely. Medical reports indicate victims suffer insomnia and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In some cases, victims are physically abused, beaten and, in at least one case, raped by the faith-breaker. In all cases, believers suffer from indescribable dread, not knowing the nature of their crime or the length of the punishment. They are trapped, isolated from the world and at the mercy of their assailant.
(7) Japanese Government Implicated in Violations
Even though kidnapping and faith-breaking is illegal, in most cases, the Japanese police have ignored the problem. There are three reasons for this. First, they are affected by the mass media’s antagonistic reports on the UC-J. Second, they dismiss religious kidnapping as a ‘family affair’. Third, they are reluctant to intervene in religious issues. The most fundamental problem is that Japanese police do not regard religious freedom as a universal human right. At best they ignore the plight of UC-J members, at worst they conspire with opposing parties to kidnap and confine believers.
(8) Negligence in Japanese Courts
Japanese courts procrastinate in cases involving UC-J members (see chronology Rumi Matsuda Appendix C, p. 31).
Three civil cases against faith-breaking ministers are now pending in Japanese courts.
(1) Pursue legal redress and justice in the Japanese courts in order to see that the Japanese Constitution and International aggreements on human rights and religious freedom are adhered to and that believers in religious groups such as the Unification Church are no longer subjected to abuses such as those described above.
(2) Educate human rights groups, ecumenical organizations, and the media, both in Japan and abroad so that they are aware of these human rights abuses and may take action to support the free exercise of religion in Japan.