The Japan Legal Support Center, known as Houterasu, has established free telephone consultation services to help victims of the Unification Church file damage claims [1].
These services are critical because victims must navigate complex legal requirements to recover funds within a strict timeframe. Ensuring that affected individuals can successfully submit claims of ownership, or debt, is the primary goal of the initiative to facilitate relief during the liquidation process [1, 2].
The program connects victims with participating lawyers to guide them through the filing process. Ryuichi Kobayashi, head of the Houterasu Special Measures Promotion Office, said the periodic consultations were established because of the desire for as many people as possible to submit these claims within the limited period [1].
Consultations are scheduled for the third Wednesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. [1]. Additionally, on the last Sunday of odd-numbered months, sessions are held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. [1]. These regular sessions will continue through March of next year [1].
Legal representatives have highlighted the scale of the assets involved in the liquidation. As of March 4, the liquidators revealed that the organization's assets totaled approximately 83.4 billion yen [1].
Officials encourage anyone who is uncertain about their eligibility or the process to reach out. A Houterasu representative said that because they collaborate with various experts, people should feel free to consult them if they are lost [1].
Victims must submit their claims by the final deadline of May 20, 2027 [2].
“The organization's assets totaled approximately 83.4 billion yen [1].”
The establishment of these dedicated legal channels indicates a structured effort by the Japanese state to facilitate the redistribution of church assets to former members. By providing free legal bridges to lawyers, Houterasu is attempting to lower the barrier to entry for victims who may lack the financial means or legal knowledge to challenge the organization's holdings before the 2027 cutoff.
