A court-appointed liquidator in Japan has begun accepting claims for damages from victims of alleged donation fraud by the former Unification Church [1].
This process represents a critical step in the legal dissolution of the organization. Because the Tokyo High Court determined that no other effective means existed to prevent illegal donation practices, the dissolution order provides a structured way to recover assets for those harmed [2].
Claims for donation-related damages can be submitted via the liquidator's office, or through an online form hosted on the official website [1]. The window for submitting these claims opened on May 23, 2024, and will remain open until May 20, 2025 [1].
If the submitted claims are recognized as valid, victims may be compensated using the assets of the former church. Reports indicate that at least 40 billion yen in assets have been secured for victim compensation [3].
Shin Murakoshi, a lawyer for the nationwide victims' counsel, emphasized the urgency of the filing period. The liquidation process, managed by an impartial third party, may serve as the final opportunity for victims to receive compensation, Murakoshi said [1].
The legal action follows a ruling by the Tokyo High Court. Judge Yuko Mizuno said that no other effective means were found to prevent the illegal acts of believers other than a dissolution order [2].
“The liquidation process... may serve as the final opportunity for victims to receive compensation”
The transition from a dissolution order to an active liquidation process shifts the focus from the legal battle over the church's existence to the financial restitution of its victims. By securing a minimum of 40 billion yen, the court is attempting to create a tangible remedy for systemic donation fraud, though the final amount of compensation per person will depend on the total number of valid claims verified by the liquidator.
