One of the attorneys of the Unification Church continues to present his account of the case: under cross-examination, one of the key testimonies the prosecution relied on was revealed as false.
by Nobuya Fukumoto
Article 2 of 3. Read article 1.
Allegations in W2’s Written Statement
W2 is a woman born in 1955 who, at the time of preparing her written statement in July 2023, was a 68-year-old former member of the UC. The following circumstances were described in W2’s written statement:
| Timeline | Events |
| Around 2004 | While working in K. Prefecture, W2 began studying the teachings of the Family Federation after being invited by a colleague. Purchased a seal for 180,000 yen. |
| September 2005 | Moved to U. City, Y. Prefecture, and was invited by members who visited her home to study the Family Federation’s teachings at a video center. Made donations based on the teaching that “donating to the Unification Church accumulates virtue and allows one to enter heaven.” |
| Around 2006 | W2’s brother had committed suicide, and she was frightened by the following claims made by Mrs. T., the leader of a believers’ group, and subsequently purchased a Maitreya statue: ・People who commit suicide go to hell. ・Her brother was suffering in the spirit world and needed to be lifted out of hell. For this purpose, she was told to receive a Maitreya Bodhisattva statue. ・By saving her brother from hell, her family would also become happy. ・The price of the statue was 1.8 million yen, but since W2 had already donated 800,000 yen, she was told 1 million yen would suffice. |
| One month after purchasing the Maitreya statue, W2’s financial situation became difficult, and she requested Mrs. T. a refund of the 1 million yen, but it was refused. | |
| Mrs. T. told her that her brother was suffering in hell, prompting her to pay 360,000 yen (12,000 yen × 3 spirits) for a “special liberation” for her brother and two other spirits. | |
| December 2007 | Purchased a necklace and earrings at an exhibition for 270,000 yen. |
| Around 2013 | Purchased two magnetic necklaces at an exhibition for 110,000–120,000 yen each. |
| July 2013 2014 | Purchased a pendant at an exhibition for 300,000 yen. Donated 800,000 yen. |
| 2016 | Participated in a tour to South Korea for 70,000 yen. |
| 2019 | Made a 300,000-yen donation for ancestral liberation after being strongly encouraged. |
| – | Donated 400,000 yen for receiving a Holy book after being scolded by Mrs. T. |
| 2021 | Donated 72,000 yen. |
| 2010–2021 | Made 50,000 yen in “dedication donations” (5,000 yen × 10 times). |
| 2015–2022 | Purchased three boxes of Korean ginseng extract, said to be beneficial for health, for a total of 180,000 yen. |
The Falsity of Statements in W2’s Written Testimony
The falsity of the statements in W2’s written testimony became evident based on the following facts:
(ⅰ) According to current members, W2 repeatedly expressed a desire for a Maitreya statue that she saw at a video center in K. prefecture, leading members to procure and present it to her. W2 then made a donation of 1 million yen (not 1.8 million yen). Additionally, no current member had ever heard of W2’s brother committing suicide. A notice sent by the lawyer of the anti-cult National Network of Lawyers against Spiritual Sales to the Family Federation on behalf of her on February 22, 2023, made no mention of the brother’s suicide either.
According to church records submitted as evidence to the court, the special ancestor liberation ritual for the brother took place in January 2013, long after the presentation of the Maitreya statue. The special liberation ritual for the remaining two individuals was conducted several years later, and these were also carried out separately on different occasions rather than simultaneously. W2’s claim that she became financially distressed and sought a refund of the donation one month after the 1 million yen donation for the Maitreya statute was inconsistent with the fact that she made an additional donation of 360,000 yen in the same year, 2006. Furthermore, if the Maitreya statue was purchased for the brother’s salvation, it was inexplicable why a special ancestor liberation for the brother was conducted immediately afterward.
(ⅱ) W2 stated in her written testimony that she was unable to challenge Mrs. T. due to the Abel-Cain doctrine (based on the claim that she was mind-controlled) and that she made donations after being scolded by Mrs. T. However, according to current members, including Mrs. T., these claims were entirely baseless. On the contrary, W2 expressed words of gratitude in a testimonial video saying W2 deeply relied on Mrs. T., and Mrs. T. had visited her during her hospitalization and treated her kindly.
(ⅲ) There were multiple photographs of W2 smiling while participating in Family Federation ceremonies (e.g., blessing ceremonies).
(ⅳ) Between 2008 and 2011, W2 left the Family Federation and became a follower of Soka Gakkai. However, shortly after breaking the Maitreya statue in the mountains, W2’s eldest son was involved in a violent incident. This led W2 to repent and return to the Family Federation. A testimonial video from that time remains, in which W2 reveal her true feelings. While she did not mention the specific name “Soka Gakkai,” she stated, “As I kept going back and forth over the years, I became ill myself,” “I decided to continue with a stable faith,” “Now, I am truly grateful to be able to return to the church like this.”
Results of Cross-Examination of W2
Regarding the items “(ⅰ)” to “(ⅳ)” above in section (2), W2 testified as follows during cross-examination:
Regarding “(ⅰ),” when asked what Mrs. T., the leader, had said regarding the special liberation for W2’s late brother and two other spirits, W2 was unable to testify anything consistent with the content of her written statement. Moreover, W2 admitted that her written statement contained details she did not personally remember. W2 also effectively admitted that the insurance money for her brother, which was used to purchase the Maitreya statue, amounted to 1 million yen, and that the amount she paid for the Maitreya statue was indeed 1 million yen. Additionally, W2 testified that she was deceived by the Family Federation, claiming, “The idea that donating to the Unification Church accumulates virtue and leads to Heaven was a lie.” When she was asked how she could know it, W2 responded that she didn’t understand such details.
Regarding “(ⅱ),” W2 was asked why Cain was supposed to obey Abel but could not provide an answer. Furthermore, she could not specify where in the Bible the story of Abel and Cain is mentioned, nor could she identify who the parents of Abel and Cain were, failing to even answer “Adam.” Ultimately, it became clear that W2’s claim of being unable to challenge Mrs. T. due to the Abel-Cain doctrine was false.
Regarding “(ⅲ),” W2 was shown photos of her smiling during ceremonies (such as the Blessing ceremonies) and admitted that she was grateful and happy at those times. She also testified that she had held hope in the blessings ceremonies while she was practicing the faith.
Regarding “(ⅳ),” W2 only admitted to having been invited by members of Soka Gakkai religious group but denied having practiced their faith. W2 also denied that her eldest son had committed a violent act. However, W2 admitted to going with a Soka Gakkai religious group member to destroy the Maitreya statue and acknowledged that she returned to the Family Federation shortly after destroying the statue. Destroying statues or altars of other groups is a characteristic practice of Soka Gakkai, making it effectively clear that W2 had practiced Soka Gakkai’s faith.
The MEXT claimed that believers were unable to leave the Family Federation due to fear—fear that they would become unhappy or fall into hell if they left (based on the arguments that they were mind-controlled). Since W2’s written statement also contained similar assertions, it can be inferred that MEXT was determined to conceal the fact that W2 had voluntarily left the Family Federation for Soka Gakkai and later returned to the Family Federation of her own free will.
The fact that W2, after comparing the faiths, concluded that the teachings of the Family Federation—despite being subject to the dissolution order request—were more beneficial for her spiritual salvation than those of Soka Gakkai, which was not subject to such a request, was something MEXT absolutely wanted to hide from the court. Therefore, it is likely that they instructed W2 to deny having ever joined Soka Gakkai. In the witness examination of W2 conducted by MEXT’s side, there were several exchanges that clearly suggested subornation of perjury.
