https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250730/k00/00m/040/120000c
The Tokyo District Court has approved a provisional seizure of the land where the headquarters of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church) stands in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. This decision was made on July 18th, as announced by the former followers' side on July 30th. Ten former followers had filed a collective mediation request, seeking the return of past donations and payments for goods from the church, and subsequently requested this provisional seizure.
While the church can continue its activities at the headquarters as before, it will effectively be unable to dispose of or transfer the property as an asset. The targeted church headquarters is located in the Shoto district of Shibuya, known as an upscale residential area. The estimated value of the land is said to exceed 800 million yen.
Regarding the request for a dissolution order against the church by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order in March, and the case is currently under review at the Tokyo High Court. Following the District Court's decision, the former followers filed the provisional seizure request on June 10th, citing concerns that the church's assets might be siphoned off. They claim to have claims totaling approximately 226 million yen for past financial damages.
If the High Court upholds the District Court's decision in the dissolution order request, the dissolution order will become effective, and the church will lose its status as a religious corporation. Although the church can file another appeal, a liquidator chosen by the court will begin the process of liquidating the church's assets, such as deposits and real estate, without waiting for a Supreme Court decision.
by 100rad