Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 12, No. 1, 1995, page 53
However, in line with the previous decision, even before the 30,000,000-yen donation was
requested from PA, she had already been urged by the same UC members to make similar
donations. This is represented by the occasions when these UC members sought and
procured PA‟s 5,000,000-yen disbursement and 7,000,000-yen donation with narratives
used to convey wishes of PA‟s deceased husband and foreboding of PA‟s ancestral karma.
Hence, it is rational to surmise that even on the occasion of the 30,000,000-yen donation,
Endo et al. conveyed and said the same things as in the previous example. Certainly, it is
quite difficult to fathom that any person would candidly go through with a completely
unexpected and urgent request for such an exorbitant donation. It may be deduced that on
this same occasion, a combination of comforting and fear-inducing language and acts were
readily employed. Evidence of such acts is fully represented in PA‟s deposition. In addition,
the contents of both plaintiff B‟s deposition (concerning acts committed by Gondo who
demanded plaintiff B donate a sum of 2,100,000 yen) and PA‟s deposition (concerning the
30,000,000-yen donation) thoroughly coincide where monetary donations were demanded
by conveyances of pleas of a deceased spouse and practices of divination based on
interpretation of ancestral backgrounds.
In her own testimony concerning the acts of solicitation aimed for the procurement of the
30,000,000-yen donation, Endo admitted having shown PA her family lineage chart, and
having said (among other things) that the spirits of PA‟s ancestors would be freed and that
PA would be protected by the world of spirits.
Therefore, based on the above conclusions, Endo did demand monetary donations through
conveyances of pleas of a deceased persons and practices of divination based on
interpretation of ancestral backgrounds.
Conclusively, in light of the various circumstances in which it is natural to presume that
monetary donations were demanded through verbal warnings of pernicious consequences
that would result in the event demands for donations were not complied with: (1) It is
rational to deem that acts were committed as stated in PA‟s deposition, and (2) It is
impossible to readily adopt the above exhibits of evidence --posed by the defendant --
which contradict the previous statement, and thus, (3) The defendant‟s claim is mooted as
no further and sufficient supporting evidence exists.
Section B: Acts perpetrated on plaintiff B
(Omitted here are the specified exhibits, testimonies and other evidence by which the court
based its decisions on this case regarding plaintiff B.)
Article 1: Chain of events leading up to the 2,100,000-yen donation
On 17 November 1988, UC member and devotee herein referred to as “Z” (hereafter UCZ)
visited plaintiff B‟s place of work with the intent of door-to-door sales of signature seals
while at the same time concealing her (UCZ‟s) relationship and/or connections with the UC.
UCZ examined the black signature seal plaintiff B (hereafter PB) had been using at the time
of this incident. UCZ also listened to PB‟s personal stories of how her husband by common-
law marriage (not officially registered marriage) had passed away in March of that same
year. After hearing these stories and examining the seal, UCZ recommended PB purchase a
new signature seal saying (among other things), “Black is tied to hardship and pain.11 You
should really replace the one you have and buy a new one. I have a signature seal that will
bring you good fortune. Your husband died because you have been keeping that signature
seal.”
Having been told these things, PB felt disheartened toward using the signature seal (she
had been using up until this point) anymore. Also, during this same time period, PB had
been considering replacing the above signature seal with a new bought one. Consequently,
However, in line with the previous decision, even before the 30,000,000-yen donation was
requested from PA, she had already been urged by the same UC members to make similar
donations. This is represented by the occasions when these UC members sought and
procured PA‟s 5,000,000-yen disbursement and 7,000,000-yen donation with narratives
used to convey wishes of PA‟s deceased husband and foreboding of PA‟s ancestral karma.
Hence, it is rational to surmise that even on the occasion of the 30,000,000-yen donation,
Endo et al. conveyed and said the same things as in the previous example. Certainly, it is
quite difficult to fathom that any person would candidly go through with a completely
unexpected and urgent request for such an exorbitant donation. It may be deduced that on
this same occasion, a combination of comforting and fear-inducing language and acts were
readily employed. Evidence of such acts is fully represented in PA‟s deposition. In addition,
the contents of both plaintiff B‟s deposition (concerning acts committed by Gondo who
demanded plaintiff B donate a sum of 2,100,000 yen) and PA‟s deposition (concerning the
30,000,000-yen donation) thoroughly coincide where monetary donations were demanded
by conveyances of pleas of a deceased spouse and practices of divination based on
interpretation of ancestral backgrounds.
In her own testimony concerning the acts of solicitation aimed for the procurement of the
30,000,000-yen donation, Endo admitted having shown PA her family lineage chart, and
having said (among other things) that the spirits of PA‟s ancestors would be freed and that
PA would be protected by the world of spirits.
Therefore, based on the above conclusions, Endo did demand monetary donations through
conveyances of pleas of a deceased persons and practices of divination based on
interpretation of ancestral backgrounds.
Conclusively, in light of the various circumstances in which it is natural to presume that
monetary donations were demanded through verbal warnings of pernicious consequences
that would result in the event demands for donations were not complied with: (1) It is
rational to deem that acts were committed as stated in PA‟s deposition, and (2) It is
impossible to readily adopt the above exhibits of evidence --posed by the defendant --
which contradict the previous statement, and thus, (3) The defendant‟s claim is mooted as
no further and sufficient supporting evidence exists.
Section B: Acts perpetrated on plaintiff B
(Omitted here are the specified exhibits, testimonies and other evidence by which the court
based its decisions on this case regarding plaintiff B.)
Article 1: Chain of events leading up to the 2,100,000-yen donation
On 17 November 1988, UC member and devotee herein referred to as “Z” (hereafter UCZ)
visited plaintiff B‟s place of work with the intent of door-to-door sales of signature seals
while at the same time concealing her (UCZ‟s) relationship and/or connections with the UC.
UCZ examined the black signature seal plaintiff B (hereafter PB) had been using at the time
of this incident. UCZ also listened to PB‟s personal stories of how her husband by common-
law marriage (not officially registered marriage) had passed away in March of that same
year. After hearing these stories and examining the seal, UCZ recommended PB purchase a
new signature seal saying (among other things), “Black is tied to hardship and pain.11 You
should really replace the one you have and buy a new one. I have a signature seal that will
bring you good fortune. Your husband died because you have been keeping that signature
seal.”
Having been told these things, PB felt disheartened toward using the signature seal (she
had been using up until this point) anymore. Also, during this same time period, PB had
been considering replacing the above signature seal with a new bought one. Consequently,
