Half of Japan governing lawmakers tied to Unification Church
2 years, 4 months ago

Half of Japan governing lawmakers tied to Unification Church

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s governing party said Thursday that an internal survey found that nearly half of its national lawmakers had ties to the Unification Church, in a widening controversy that emerged after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. That led to revelations of widespread ties between the governing Liberal Democratic Party and the South Korea-based church, which experts say urges Japanese followers to make large donations to make amends for their ancestral sins, including Japan’s past colonialization of the Korean Peninsula. Abe’s younger brother, former Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and former Economy and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda were among 17 who accepted church followers as election campaign volunteers. Support for Kishida’s government has tumbled in recent media surveys, apparently because of party members’ church links and plans for a rare state funeral for Abe.

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History of this topic

Japanese leaders mark 1 year since assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe
1 year, 6 months ago

Japanese leaders mark 1 year since assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe

Hindustan Times  

Japanese political and business leaders on Saturday marked one year since the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledging to tackle pressing political goals as a way of honoring Abe’s wishes. Yamagami has told investigators that he killed Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and divisive politicians, because of the former prime minister’s apparent links …

Japanese leaders mark 1 year since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe
1 year, 6 months ago

Japanese leaders mark 1 year since the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese political and business leaders on Saturday marked one year since the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe, with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledging to tackle pressing political goals as a way of honoring Abe’s wishes. Yamagami has told investigators that he killed Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and divisive politicians, because of the former prime minister’s …

Hearing for Abe murder suspect cancelled over suspicious object: Japan media
1 year, 6 months ago

Hearing for Abe murder suspect cancelled over suspicious object: Japan media

The Hindu  

A pre-trial hearing for the man accused of killing Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was cancelled Monday after a suspicious object was delivered to the court, local media said. Shinzo Abe | Japan’s eternal Prime Minister The 42-year-old faces charges of murder and violation of arms control laws, and could face the death penalty if convicted. He reportedly targeted …

Suspect charged with murder in assassination of Japan’s Abe
1 year, 11 months ago

Suspect charged with murder in assassination of Japan’s Abe

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese prosecutors formally charged the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder, sending him to stand trial, a court said Friday. Police have said Yamagami told them that he killed Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and divisive politicians, because of Abe’s apparent links to a religious group that he hated. “We must …

Lawyer: Suspect in Abe assassination to face murder charge
1 year, 11 months ago

Lawyer: Suspect in Abe assassination to face murder charge

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese prosecutors are expected to formally charge the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder on Friday, his lawyer said. Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested immediately after allegedly shooting Abe with a handmade gun as the former leader was making a campaign speech in July outside a train station in Nara in western Japan. …

Suspect in assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe is charged with murder
1 year, 11 months ago

Suspect in assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe is charged with murder

LA Times  

Tetsuya Yamagami, who is accused of killing Japan’s Shinzo Abe, is led to a police station Tuesday. Japanese prosecutors formally charged the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder, sending him to stand trial, a Japanese court said Friday. Police have said Yamagami told them that he killed Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and …

New Japan law aims at Unification Church fundraising abuses
2 years, 1 month ago

New Japan law aims at Unification Church fundraising abuses

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s parliament on Saturday enacted a law to restrict malicious donation solicitations by religious and other groups, which mainly targets the Unification Church, whose fundraising tactics and cozy ties with the governing party caused public outrage. The South Korean-based religious group’s decades-long ties with Japan’s governing Liberal Democratic Party surfaced after the July assassination of former leader Shinzo …

Japan minister quits over execution remark, PM delays trip
2 years, 1 month ago

Japan minister quits over execution remark, PM delays trip

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delayed his departure for three upcoming summits in Southeast Asia on Friday to sack and replace his justice minister, who was widely criticized over a remark he made about capital punishment. Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi told reporters he submitted his resignation to Kishida on Friday, two days after he commented at a party …

Japan PM promises law to help Unification Church victims
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan PM promises law to help Unification Church victims

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday he will speed up the drafting and passage of a law to regulate the collection of donations by religious groups and protect families of believers after he met with victims of the Unification Church and was heartbroken by their “horrendous experiences.” Also Tuesday, a government committee drafted standards to be used …

Japan Cabinet minister resigns over Unification Church ties
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan Cabinet minister resigns over Unification Church ties

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s economy minister submitted his resignation Monday over ties to the Unification Church after facing mounting criticism in a widening controversy involving dozens of governing party lawmakers. Daishiro Yamagiwa’s resignation is a further blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which has been rocked by his party’s close ties to the controversial South Korean-based church following the assassination …

Japanese Cabinet minister resigns over ties to the Unification Church
2 years, 2 months ago

Japanese Cabinet minister resigns over ties to the Unification Church

LA Times  

Japanese Economy Minister Daishiro Yamagiwa is surrounded by reporters Monday at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo. Japan’s economy minister submitted his resignation Monday over his ties to the Unification Church after facing mounting criticism in a widening controversy involving dozens of ruling party lawmakers. Daishiro Yamagiwa’s resignation is a further blow to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government, which …

Japan and the Controversial Unification Church
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan and the Controversial Unification Church

The Diplomat  

Since the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, public shock has morphed into outrage, as the deeply embedded ties between the controversial Unification Church and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have come to light. Abe was shot on the upper house election campaign trail in early July by a man holding a grudge against the former prime minister’s …

Japan PM orders probe of Unification Church problems
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan PM orders probe of Unification Church problems

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered an investigation Monday into the Unification Church in an apparent move to calm the public outrage over his governing party’s cozy ties with the controversial group, which were revealed in the wake of Shinzo Abe’s assassination. The Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon, obtained a religious …

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida orders government probe into Unification Church
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida orders government probe into Unification Church

Firstpost  

The group has been in the spotlight because the man accused of killing former premier Shinzo Abe was reportedly motivated by resentment against the church, which has been accused of pressuring members to make hefty donations Tokyo, Japan: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered on Monday a government probe into the Unification Church, after the assassination of former premier Shinzo …

Japan’s Kishida orders investigation into Unification Church
2 years, 2 months ago

Japan’s Kishida orders investigation into Unification Church

Al Jazeera  

Prime minister’s order comes amid anger over ruling LDP’s ties to the religious sect, which is accused of soliciting large donations from followers. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered an investigation into the Unification Church on Monday amid a public outcry over the South Korean religious sect’s ties with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Abe’s assassin, Tetsuya Yamagami, said he …

Japanese former leader Abe honored at divisive state funeral
2 years, 3 months ago

Japanese former leader Abe honored at divisive state funeral

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japan’s assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, was given a rare state funeral Tuesday full of military pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets in opposition. “I had a firm belief that you would contribute as a compass showing the future direction of Japan and the …

Explained | Why has the state funeral for Shinzo Abe divided Japan?
2 years, 3 months ago

Explained | Why has the state funeral for Shinzo Abe divided Japan?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has triggered a public backlash against the government, dealing a major blow to the popularity of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The situation worsened after details emerged about ties between Mr. Abe, the ruling LDP and a controversial religious group, the …

Shinzo Abe state funeral: The legacy of Japan's longest-serving prime minister
2 years, 3 months ago

Shinzo Abe state funeral: The legacy of Japan's longest-serving prime minister

Hindustan Times  

As thousands of attendees, including representatives from over 217 countries, territories and international organizations, arrive in Japan to attend the state funeral of the country's former prime minister Shinzo Abe, his contribution to Japan as the country's longest serving post-war prime minister has been immense. Shinzo Abe State Funeral: People leave flowers and pay their respects to former Japanese prime …

Tense Japan holds funeral for assassinated ex-leader Abe
2 years, 3 months ago

Tense Japan holds funeral for assassinated ex-leader Abe

The Hindu  

A tense Japan prepared Tuesday for a rare and controversial state funeral for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader in his nation's modern history and one of the most divisive. Mr. Kishida says the longest-serving leader in Japan's modern political history deserves a state funeral. In what some see as an attempt to further justify the honour …

EXPLAINED: Why is Japan Split Over Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's State Funeral?
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINED: Why is Japan Split Over Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's State Funeral?

News 18  

A rare state funeral for Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister who was assassinated in July, has split Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is battling a near-continuous political fallout from his handling of both the links to the church among his party’s lawmakers and the state funeral he says Abe deserves. Kishida says Abe deserves a state funeral because he …

PM Modi, world leaders attend former Japan PM Shinzo Abe's funeral in Tokyo
2 years, 3 months ago

PM Modi, world leaders attend former Japan PM Shinzo Abe's funeral in Tokyo

India Today  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday joined several world leaders in Tokyo to attend former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's state funeral. #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a bilateral meeting in Tokyo pic.twitter.com/DGIv4RaDNy — ANI September 27, 2022 PM Modi joined several global leaders to pay tribute to Abe. SHINZO ABE'S STATE FUNERAL …

Japan honours Shinzo Abe with controversial state funeral
2 years, 3 months ago

Japan honours Shinzo Abe with controversial state funeral

Al Jazeera  

Japan bids assassinated leader farewell amid anger over the cost of the state funeral and his party’s ties to the Unification Church. Japan has bid farewell to assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a rare state funeral that divided the nation. But Kishida defended the state funeral as necessary, citing Abe’s “achievements” over his eight years in office and …

EXPLAINER: Why is Japan split over Abe’s state funeral?
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: Why is Japan split over Abe’s state funeral?

Associated Press  

TOKYO — A rare state funeral for Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister who was assassinated in July, has split Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is battling a near-continuous political fallout from his handling of both the links to the church among his party’s lawmakers and the state funeral he says Abe deserves. Kishida says Abe deserves a state funeral …

Hundreds demand cancellation of Japanese ex-leader’s funeral
2 years, 3 months ago

Hundreds demand cancellation of Japanese ex-leader’s funeral

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Several hundred protesters demanded the cancellation of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral as they shouted slogans and waved banners Friday in a Tokyo park. “Abe’s policies supported war,” demonstrator Mayumi Ishida said, noting Abe consistently sought to raise defense spending. Yoshiko Kamata, a part-time worker at a convenience store, acknowledged the state funeral couldn’t be …

Unification Church pledges reforms after Abe’s assassination
2 years, 3 months ago

Unification Church pledges reforms after Abe’s assassination

Associated Press  

TOKYO — The Unification Church, whose close ties with Japan’s governing party have emerged after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, acknowledged Thursday that it had accepted “excessive” donations from the suspect’s mother, and that it would need to consider it seriously if that led to the killing. A church lawyer, Nobuya Fukumoto, said he considers the donations …

Man sets himself on fire in apparent protest of Abe funeral
2 years, 3 months ago

Man sets himself on fire in apparent protest of Abe funeral

Associated Press  

TOKYO — A man set himself on fire near the Japanese prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Wednesday in an apparent protest against the state funeral planned next week for former leader Shinzo Abe, officials and media reports said. The planned state funeral for Abe has become increasingly unpopular among Japanese as more details emerge about the governing Liberal Democratic …

Demonstrations, self-immolation and more: The controversies over Japan's state funeral for Shinzo Abe
2 years, 3 months ago

Demonstrations, self-immolation and more: The controversies over Japan's state funeral for Shinzo Abe

Firstpost  

The funeral has become controversial for two main reasons — questions around Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s overstepping his powers by solely approving the funeral and the issues around the Unification Church and its links to the Liberal Democratic Party Tokyo: A state funeral for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has become a lightning rod for controversy, prompting demonstrations and …

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his ruling LDP party will cut ties with the Unification Church
2 years, 4 months ago

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says his ruling LDP party will cut ties with the Unification Church

ABC  

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his ruling party will cut ties with the Unification Church following a widening scandal brought on by former leader Shinzo Abe's assassination. Key points: Earlier this month, Mr Kishida purged from his cabinet seven ministers with links to the church and related organisations The LDP Secretary General will survey the party and ensure …

Japan’s leader apologizes and says his party will cut ties to Unification Church
2 years, 4 months ago

Japan’s leader apologizes and says his party will cut ties to Unification Church

LA Times  

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at a news conference at his official residence in Tokyo on Wednesday. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Wednesday that his ruling party would cut ties with the Unification Church following a widening scandal triggered by former leader Shinzo Abe’s assassination last month. Widespread, cozy ties between members of Kishida’s governing Liberal Democratic Party, …

Japan to spend $1.83m on ex-PM Abe’s state funeral
2 years, 4 months ago

Japan to spend $1.83m on ex-PM Abe’s state funeral

Al Jazeera  

Japan will spend $1.83m on a state funeral for slain former leader Shinzo Abe, the government has said, despite growing opposition from a public angered by revelations of the ruling party’s ties to the Unification Church. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving but divisive premier, was shot and killed at an election rally on July 8, and although funeral services were held soon …

Alleged Abe assassin to undergo mental evaluation until Nov
2 years, 5 months ago

Alleged Abe assassin to undergo mental evaluation until Nov

Associated Press  

TOKYO — The alleged assassin of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be detained until late November for mental evaluation so prosecutors can determine whether to formally press charges and send him to trial for murder, officials said Monday. Members of the country’s main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan met on Monday and confirmed plans to pursue an …

Japan PM blames police for death of former leader Shinzo Abe
2 years, 5 months ago

Japan PM blames police for death of former leader Shinzo Abe

Associated Press  

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday blamed inadequate police protection for the death of former leader Shinzo Abe, who was shot last week while giving an outdoor campaign speech. Kishida also announced plans to hold a state funeral for Abe later this year, noting his contributions at home and in boosting Japan’s security alliance with the United …

Japan PM blames inadequate police protection for Abe killing
2 years, 5 months ago

Japan PM blames inadequate police protection for Abe killing

Al Jazeera  

Fumio Kishida says Japan will hold a state funeral for the slain former prime minister in autumn. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has blamed inadequate police security for the death of former leader Shinzo Abe, who was shot while giving an outdoor campaign speech. Paying tribute to Abe, Kishida said Japan’s longest-serving prime minister had “many great legacies to his …

Japanese leader blames inadequate police protection for Shinzo Abe’s assassination
2 years, 5 months ago

Japanese leader blames inadequate police protection for Shinzo Abe’s assassination

LA Times  

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech at his official residence in Tokyo on Thursday. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday blamed inadequate police protection for the death of former leader Shinzo Abe, who was shot last week while giving an outdoor campaign speech. Kishida announced plans to hold a state funeral for Abe later this year, noting …

Shinzo Abe assassination: What is the Unification Church and why is it in the limelight?
2 years, 5 months ago

Shinzo Abe assassination: What is the Unification Church and why is it in the limelight?

Firstpost  

The church is known for its unique take on Christianity and practices that critics have termed as that of a cult. The suspect in Shinzo Abe’s assassination held a grudge against the church, of which Abe was a supporter, for crippling his family’s finances A police investigation into the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has found that …

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