Hiroshima, Japan – On May 19, 2024, the Association of Ambassadors for Peace Hiroshima (AAP-Hiroshima) held a peace symposium on the role and future prospects of the Unification movement in Japan. Approximately 120 members and supporters from within and outside the prefecture attended.
Since the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, there has been a surge of criticism against the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, UPF, AAP, and other affiliated organizations. Certain media outlets and politically motivated groups have labeled these organizations as "anti-social" and "anti-Japanese," attempting to unilaterally sever relations.
This symposium was organized to review the purpose and role of the Unification movement in Japan, which has been based on the peace vision of its founders, Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and to assert that such criticisms are unfounded.
The symposium panelists included Prof. Seishiro Sugihara, former professor at Musashino Women's University; Mr. Tatsuki Nakayama, an international lawyer; and Mr. Shunsuke Uotani, secretary general of UPF-Japan.
To begin the meeting, Mr. Yuhei Kajimoto, secretary general of AAP-Hiroshima, addressed the attendees on behalf of the organizers. He stated, "We have been working with peace ambassadors from various fields to achieve world peace, but now we are being criticized as 'anti-social' and accused of being a 'front activity' for the church." He emphasized, "Now that information is easily accessible, it is crucial not to be easily swayed by such information and to carefully discern the facts."
Prof. Sugihara mentioned the ambiguity in the decision-making process of the current administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He criticized the unfair treatment of lawmakers alleged to have connections with the Family Federation, compared to others accused of misusing slush funds for unofficial purposes.
Prof. Sugihara said that the government was ready to “easily destroy and discard” the Unification movement, based on public anger, “without discussing its essence.” He criticized government leaders as “followers of populism.” He also commented on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's request for a dissolution order against the Family Federation, saying, "Dissolving a religious organization is not that easy. Only when it is clear to everyone that there are justifiable reasons for dissolution can the court issue such an order."
He emphasized that freedom of religion is "a cornerstone of the state" and argued that dissolving an organization without a public trial and as a non-litigious matter is a procedure not permitted by the Constitution.
Attorney Nakayama praised the extensive activities carried out by the Unification movement to date, but expressed regret that "its merits have not been effectively communicated." He appealed to the participants, saying, "Explanation and persuasion are different." Mr. Nakayama emphasized that, despite its dedicated efforts, the movement must address current friction with society, and be willing to take risks.
UPF-Japan Secretary General Uotani provided an overview of UPF's history as an NGO registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He pointed out that today, the peace activities of many faith-based organizations are highly evaluated. Mr. Uotani mentioned that former Prime Minister Abe sent a message to a UPF event, emphasizing that, "Abe's message supported the vision and objectives of the movement; it did not endorse a specific religious organization." He asserted that criticisms labeling UPF activities as a front for the Family Federation stem from ignorance and misunderstanding.
In the subsequent panel discussion and Q&A session, various topics were debated, including how to communicate the value of organizations like UPF in a society where interest in broad-minded ideas, especially among young people, is waning.
By Ayano Nakajima, Representative, UPF-Japan May 19, 2024
