The Tokyo High Court has officially dissolved the former Unification Church, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, as a response to a request from Japan's Ministry of Education. The court upheld a previous ruling from the Tokyo District Court that found the organization was responsible for causing significant financial harm through high-pressure donation recruitment practices. Despite the court's ruling, the church plans to appeal to the Supreme Court; however, the dissolution order is effective immediately, initiating the legal liquidation process under the Religious Corporations Law, which aims to oversee the management of the church's assets and ensure restitution to the victims of its practices.

Since its establishment in South Korea in 1954, the former Unification Church has faced various controversies, including allegations of coercive fundraising tactics. Social issues surrounding these practices surged in the 1980s when church members pressured financially vulnerable individuals into making significant donations. Recent attention to the church has intensified following the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, where it was revealed that the assailant's motivation was tied to his mother’s financial ruin due to the church's practices.

In light of these ongoing issues, the Ministry of Education and the Agency for Cultural Affairs have been investigating allegations of systemic abuse and financial exploitation within the church, gathering extensive testimonies from over 170 victims. They determined that damages related to high-pressure fundraising totaled approximately 20.4 billion yen, affecting over 1,500 individuals. The court's decision reinforces the government’s position that the church's actions have gravely undermined public welfare, justifying the dissolution order under specified legal criteria. This ruling not only emphasizes accountability but also opens a path for restitution to victims affected by the church's controversial practices.