Ldp Lawmakers Signed Former Unification Church Affiliate's Policy Want List
New details are emerging about a controversial religious group's connections to Japanese politicians. Lawmakers of the main ruling party signed documents saying they approve of policy proposals by an affiliate of the former Unification Church. This happened during national elections.
The religious group is under scrutiny for allegedly shady marketing practices and the solicitation of large donations from followers. Its members have supported many lawmakers of the Liberal Democratic Party during elections.
The Federation for World Peace is an affiliate of the religious group. Sources close to the affiliate say its members met LDP lawmakers and had them sign the documents saying they approve of the policies. Those include revising the Constitution and promoting a plan to build a tunnel between Japan and South Korea.
A senior member of the former Unification Church says he believes it's a systematic practice by the affiliate. Teshigawara Hideyuki of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification says, "Is there any problem with citizens supporting politicians who share their views?"
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says members of his party who signed the papers must fully explain themselves. But he denied the documents had an impact. Kishida says, "In the LDP's system, trying to influence one lawmaker will not affect the party's entire policy-making process."
The government plans to launch an inquiry into the religious group.
Teshigawara says, "If officials with the culture ministry or the Cultural Affairs Agency ask us questions, we will sincerely answer them."
How to deal with the former Unification Church has become a big focus of discussions in the Diet. Some opposition parties are urging the government to seek a court order to dissolve the group as a religious corporation, depriving it of tax benefits.