Japan Authorities Query Former Unification Church About Adoption Arrangements
Japan's central and Tokyo Metropolitan governments have sent a letter of inquiry to a religious group, formerly known as the Unification Church, regarding its adoption arrangements.
The former Unification Church has recommended that childless followers be allowed to adopt the children of other members. The organization says adoptions involving 745 children have taken place within the group since 1981.
Lawyers say they have held consultations with some followers' children, who say they were adopted based on their parents' beliefs.
Some experts say that the arrangement of adoptions without a permit may violate the law on mediating adoptions.
The welfare ministry and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government are investigating the group's adoption practice. They sent a letter of inquiry to its headquarters in Tokyo on Tuesday.
They are asking the group to clarify what adoption procedures are taken, how the group is involved in the practice and how adoption records are filed. The procedures are outlined in the group's publications.
The authorities are asking the group to submit its answers by December 5.
They say that if any violation of the law is confirmed, they will consider necessary countermeasures.