Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 3, 2003, Page 21
5. In Japan several large religious organizations were established around 1860. If the
Japanese Diet attempted to make a similar law to that in France, these large organizations
could possibly obstruct the introduction of such a law.
6. It can be difficult to define which activities are crimes. Moreover, the kinds of activities
that are illegal would be clearer in the criminal court than in the civil court. Currently in
Japan, the civil courts have handled such cases and established standards but not yet the
criminal court.
Therefore, we need to make a clear standard for the definition of illegal activities, not only
in the civil courts but also in the criminal courts.
Falun Gong in China
Many Japanese opinion leaders criticize the Chinese government's policies regarding Falun
Gong, claiming that these policies are a breach of international human rights.
The corruption of the communist bureaucrats is clear in Chinese society. Such corruption
has led many Chinese citizens to rely on new religious movements, such as Falun Gong. The
negative impact of new religious movements on the power of the Emperor of China
approximately 200 years ago is likely the main reason for the current Chinese Governments
fear of new religious movements. Hence, many Japanese people believe that the Chinese
government's reaction to Falun Gong is based on a fear of losing control to new religious
movements.
However, the actual activities of Falun Gong are not clear, even in Japan. There are rumors
that Falun Gong uses mind control techniques and that Falun Gong demands too much
money from followers. But there is no objective evidence to prove these rumors either way.
Neither the Chinese government nor the Falun Gong organization has given any clear
objective evidence to support their subjective opinions.
We are afraid of being used and misled by both sides. Consequently, we are unable to
officially make a statement concerning Falun Gong. We have been and will continue to
watch both sides carefully.
Appendix 1
Judgments handed down by courts in Japan against the Unification Church include:
1. Judgment by the Fukuoka District Court, May 27, 1994 Upheld by the Fukuoka High
Court, February 19, 1996 Finalized by the Supreme Court, September 18, 1997
The Fukuoka District Court, High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the Unification
Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from plaintiffs (two
widows). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiffs the sum of $300,000.
2. Judgment by the Tokyo District Court, October 24, 1997 Upheld by the Tokyo High
Court, September 22, 1998 Finalized by the Supreme Court, March, 11, 1999
The Tokyo District Court, High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the Unification
Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from the plaintiff (a
woman). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiff the sum of $210,000.
3. Judgment by the Nara District Court, April 16, 1997 Upheld by the Osaka High
Court, June29, 1999 Finalized by the Supreme Court, January21, 2000
The Nara District Court, and the Osaka High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the
Unification Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from the
plaintiffs (two women). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiffs the sum of
5. In Japan several large religious organizations were established around 1860. If the
Japanese Diet attempted to make a similar law to that in France, these large organizations
could possibly obstruct the introduction of such a law.
6. It can be difficult to define which activities are crimes. Moreover, the kinds of activities
that are illegal would be clearer in the criminal court than in the civil court. Currently in
Japan, the civil courts have handled such cases and established standards but not yet the
criminal court.
Therefore, we need to make a clear standard for the definition of illegal activities, not only
in the civil courts but also in the criminal courts.
Falun Gong in China
Many Japanese opinion leaders criticize the Chinese government's policies regarding Falun
Gong, claiming that these policies are a breach of international human rights.
The corruption of the communist bureaucrats is clear in Chinese society. Such corruption
has led many Chinese citizens to rely on new religious movements, such as Falun Gong. The
negative impact of new religious movements on the power of the Emperor of China
approximately 200 years ago is likely the main reason for the current Chinese Governments
fear of new religious movements. Hence, many Japanese people believe that the Chinese
government's reaction to Falun Gong is based on a fear of losing control to new religious
movements.
However, the actual activities of Falun Gong are not clear, even in Japan. There are rumors
that Falun Gong uses mind control techniques and that Falun Gong demands too much
money from followers. But there is no objective evidence to prove these rumors either way.
Neither the Chinese government nor the Falun Gong organization has given any clear
objective evidence to support their subjective opinions.
We are afraid of being used and misled by both sides. Consequently, we are unable to
officially make a statement concerning Falun Gong. We have been and will continue to
watch both sides carefully.
Appendix 1
Judgments handed down by courts in Japan against the Unification Church include:
1. Judgment by the Fukuoka District Court, May 27, 1994 Upheld by the Fukuoka High
Court, February 19, 1996 Finalized by the Supreme Court, September 18, 1997
The Fukuoka District Court, High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the Unification
Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from plaintiffs (two
widows). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiffs the sum of $300,000.
2. Judgment by the Tokyo District Court, October 24, 1997 Upheld by the Tokyo High
Court, September 22, 1998 Finalized by the Supreme Court, March, 11, 1999
The Tokyo District Court, High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the Unification
Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from the plaintiff (a
woman). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiff the sum of $210,000.
3. Judgment by the Nara District Court, April 16, 1997 Upheld by the Osaka High
Court, June29, 1999 Finalized by the Supreme Court, January21, 2000
The Nara District Court, and the Osaka High Court and Supreme Court all ruled that the
Unification Church is liable for the unlawful procurement of monetary donations from the
plaintiffs (two women). The Unification Church was ordered to pay the plaintiffs the sum of
