Expert Panel To Convene To Prepare For Probe Into Former Unification Church
The Japanese government is set to convene a meeting of an expert panel to define the criteria for authorities to exercise the "right to ask questions" about religious groups.
The move comes after Prime Minister Kishida Fumio earlier this month ordered the education and culture minister, Nagaoka Keiko, to open a probe into the former Unification Church based on the right to ask questions under the Religious Corporations Act.
The religious group has come under scrutiny for alleged shady marketing schemes and the solicitation of large donations from followers.
The right to ask questions can be used by the government and prefectures when a religious corporation is suspected of acts warranting an order to disband. But it has never been exercised before.
Members of the expert panel, including senior members of religious organizations and academics, are expected to discuss possible conditions and scope when authorities exercise the right at their first meeting on Tuesday. A few more meetings are expected to follow.
Based on discussions at the panel, the education and culture ministry plans to launch an investigation by the end of this year into the former Unification Church by exercising the right.
If the ministry finds evidence that warrants disbanding the group, it will promptly seek a court order to that effect.