Unification Church Japan Chairman, on Question of "Japan as Source of Korean Funds," Says "Unaware of Proportion of Offerings"

Tanaka Tomihiro, President of the Unification Church Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] Tanaka Tomihiro, chairman of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church) Japan Church, stated on the 10th that "there is no problem with the Unification Church's offerings and political involvement."

At a press conference held that day at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) in Tokyo, Chairman Tanaka responded to the question, "Is Japan the source of funds for the Unification Church, and is there a teaching that Japan should help Korea?" by saying, "It is not true that Japan bears all the global activity funds."

However, Chairman Tanaka said, "It is true that the Japanese corporation sends missionaries worldwide and sends offerings globally."

Regarding the proportion of Japan's offerings in the Unification Church, he added, "I do not know at the level of the Japanese Unification Church corporation."

Earlier, former Unification Church chairman Kwak Jeong-hwan said at a press conference on the 19th of last month, "The offerings collected in Japan have greatly supported and contributed to global activities," while adding, "I do not know at all how much offerings were collected in Japan as I am not the person in charge."

On the 8th of last month, Tetsuya Yamagami, who shot and killed former Prime Minister Abe during an election campaign, reportedly stated during police investigations that "my mother donated a large amount to the Unification Church, which ruined our family," and that his mother donated a total of over 100 million yen (approximately 970 million won).

It is said that out of resentment over this, Yamagami targeted the head of the Unification Church, but when that proved difficult, he targeted former Prime Minister Abe, whom he thought had close ties with the Unification Church.

Regarding this, Chairman Tanaka said, "I deeply apologize," and added, "I will make an official statement after the official announcement by the investigative authorities."

He continued, "Victim lawyer groups are making one-sided claims related to offerings," and stated, "We do not receive excessive offerings compared to income, and if believers request a refund of offerings, we respond appropriately."

Regarding the political and religious collusion involving the Unification Church that caused a stir in Japanese politics, such as the support of Liberal Democratic Party politicians in elections, Chairman Tanaka stated, "We have supported politicians who share anti-communist ideology, and there is no legal problem."

He added, "The Unification Church and friendly organizations have been involved in politics," and said, "Since its founding, we have been working with parties and organizations such as the Liberal Democratic Party that share anti-communist ideology."

Regarding Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's instruction on the 8th to members of the Diet to review and properly correct relations with the Unification Church, Chairman Tanaka said, "In Japan, it is the duty of citizens for religious organizations and their believers to be involved in politics and elections, and this is guaranteed by the constitution," and added, "I am not in a position to comment on the government's intentions, but (the Prime Minister's remarks) are regrettable."