A Japanese judge has determined that the official recognition of the controversial association church, also known as the Moontekte, must be withdrawn.
The association church was founded in the 1950s by the South Korean Sun Myung Moon. The supporters are also called ‘Moonies’. The church gained international fame after the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The suspect was angry about the close ties between the government and the Moonsekt and therefore decided to kill the prime minister.
The church is controversial for its ways to raise money and members would force high amounts to donate. The suspected murderer of Abe claimed that his mother had given up around 100 million yen (more than 600,000 euros).
Due to the judge’s decision, the Association Church loses its tax -free status as a religious organization, but it is not prohibited. The church can still appeal.