Parties Eye Legislation To Assist People Affected By Religious Group
Four Japanese political parties have agreed on the need for new legislation to provide relief to people who have been negatively impacted by a religious entity.
The group formerly known as the Unification Church has extracted massive donations from followers. Many people are in financial ruin.
Senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and coalition partner Komeito, as well as the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and the Nippon Ishin Japan Innovation Party, met on Friday.
The lawmakers agreed that it is necessary to enact new legislation during the current Diet session. They will meet next week to discuss what measures to include.
The CDP and Japan Innovation Party have jointly submitted their own bill to help victims of so-called "spiritual marketing" schemes and donation drives.
Meanwhile, Economic Revitalization Minister Yamagiwa Daishiro has apologized in light of revelations about his ties with the former Unification Church.
Sources say he met the current head of the group in Japan three years ago, and posed for a photo.
Yamagiwa said, "I've confirmed that I am in the group photo. I'm afraid I don't remember this. My office has not kept such records. I regret I wasn't able to confirm earlier."
In August, the LDP ordered its members to sever all ties with the former Unification Church and affiliates.