Japan S Prime Minister Cuts Ties With Unification Church After Shinzo Abe S Death Japan

Cozy ties between members of Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, many of whom belong to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have emerged since Abe was shot dead while giving a campaign speech in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent connection to the church. In a letter and social media posts believed to be his own, Yamagami said he believed his mother’s large donations to the church had ruined his life. Some Japanese expressed understanding, even sympathy, as details of the man’s life emerged, creating profound consequences for the political party that has ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted since the second world war. While religious groups must comply with the law, “politicians are strictly required to be careful with groups with social problems,” Kishida said. Members of his cabinet and other key officials agreed to review their previous ties and sever their ties to the church. “As chairman of the LDP, I sincerely apologize,” Kishida said, apologizing for raising public doubts and concerns over continued revelations in media reports about the party’s extensive ties to the church. The Unification Church, which was founded in South Korea in 1954 and came to Japan a decade later, has forged close ties with a host of conservative lawmakers over their shared interests of opposing communism. Abe’s grandfather and former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi was a key figure who helped establish the church’s political unit in Tokyo in 1968. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruitment, selling religious items and taking donations, which often led to financial strain on the families of followers and, experts say, on the mental health of the children of worshippers. The issues led to the ruling party’s decision to sever ties with the church. Abe sent a video message last year to the World Peace Federation, an international group linked to the church, which experts say may have been the suspect’s motive for Abe’s shooting. Abe had praised the federation’s co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon, who also heads the church, for her efforts in promoting traditional family values. Cult experts and observers also say the church has pushed its core agendas, such as opposition to women’s advancement and same-sex marriage, to influence politics. Kishida reshuffled his cabinet earlier in August to purge seven church-linked officials, including Abe’s younger brother Nobuo Kishi, who acknowledged that church followers had volunteered for his election campaign. Dozens of LDP members have since come forward with their ties to the church and related organizations. Kishida said he had instructed LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi to investigate the party over any other members’ ties to the church. Kishida apologized for the loss of public trust over the scandal and the lack of explanation for organizing a state funeral for Abe, one of the most divisive leaders in Japan’s postwar history. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The state funeral, scheduled for September 27, has divided public opinion. Kishida’s cabinet last week budgeted at least ¥250m (£1.5m) to invite around 6,000 guests for the funeral at the Budokan arena in Tokyo. Kishida insisted Abe deserved a state funeral because of his achievement in raising Japan’s global profile as its longest-serving post-war leader. He said Japan should respond with courtesy to the “outpouring of condolences” from foreign leaders and legislation. Protesters on Wednesday hold signs against the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Hundreds of people gathered outside the parliament grounds later on Wednesday to protest plans for a state funeral. Holding signs and banners reading “No to state funeral”, “Don’t make us mourn” and “Abe’s policy is destroying Japan”, participants chanted slogans and raised their hands.

title: “Japan S Prime Minister Cuts Ties With Unification Church After Shinzo Abe S Death Japan Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-13” author: “Charlotte Gipson”

Cozy ties between members of Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, many of whom belong to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have emerged since Abe was shot dead while giving a campaign speech in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent connection to the church. In a letter and social media posts believed to be his own, Yamagami said he believed his mother’s large donations to the church had ruined his life. Some Japanese expressed understanding, even sympathy, as details of the man’s life emerged, creating profound consequences for the political party that has ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted since the second world war. While religious groups must comply with the law, “politicians are strictly required to be careful with groups with social problems,” Kishida said. Members of his cabinet and other key officials agreed to review their previous ties and sever their ties to the church. “As chairman of the LDP, I sincerely apologize,” Kishida said, apologizing for raising public doubts and concerns over continued revelations in media reports about the party’s extensive ties to the church. The Unification Church, which was founded in South Korea in 1954 and came to Japan a decade later, has forged close ties with a host of conservative lawmakers over their shared interests of opposing communism. Abe’s grandfather and former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi was a key figure who helped establish the church’s political unit in Tokyo in 1968. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruitment, selling religious items and taking donations, which often led to financial strain on the families of followers and, experts say, on the mental health of the children of worshippers. The issues led to the ruling party’s decision to sever ties with the church. Abe sent a video message last year to the World Peace Federation, an international group linked to the church, which experts say may have been the suspect’s motive for Abe’s shooting. Abe had praised the federation’s co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon, who also heads the church, for her efforts in promoting traditional family values. Cult experts and observers also say the church has pushed its core agendas, such as opposition to women’s advancement and same-sex marriage, to influence politics. Kishida reshuffled his cabinet earlier in August to purge seven church-linked officials, including Abe’s younger brother Nobuo Kishi, who acknowledged that church followers had volunteered for his election campaign. Dozens of LDP members have since come forward with their ties to the church and related organizations. Kishida said he had instructed LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi to investigate the party over any other members’ ties to the church. Kishida apologized for the loss of public trust over the scandal and the lack of explanation for organizing a state funeral for Abe, one of the most divisive leaders in Japan’s postwar history. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The state funeral, scheduled for September 27, has divided public opinion. Kishida’s cabinet last week budgeted at least ¥250m (£1.5m) to invite around 6,000 guests for the funeral at the Budokan arena in Tokyo. Kishida insisted Abe deserved a state funeral because of his achievement in raising Japan’s global profile as its longest-serving post-war leader. He said Japan should respond with courtesy to the “outpouring of condolences” from foreign leaders and legislation. Protesters on Wednesday hold signs against the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Hundreds of people gathered outside the parliament grounds later on Wednesday to protest plans for a state funeral. Holding signs and banners reading “No to state funeral”, “Don’t make us mourn” and “Abe’s policy is destroying Japan”, participants chanted slogans and raised their hands.

title: “Japan S Prime Minister Cuts Ties With Unification Church After Shinzo Abe S Death Japan Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-03” author: “Orval Hayes”

Cozy ties between members of Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, many of whom belong to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have emerged since Abe was shot dead while giving a campaign speech in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent connection to the church. In a letter and social media posts believed to be his own, Yamagami said he believed his mother’s large donations to the church had ruined his life. Some Japanese expressed understanding, even sympathy, as details of the man’s life emerged, creating profound consequences for the political party that has ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted since the second world war. While religious groups must comply with the law, “politicians are strictly required to be careful with groups with social problems,” Kishida said. Members of his cabinet and other key officials agreed to review their previous ties and sever their ties to the church. “As chairman of the LDP, I sincerely apologize,” Kishida said, apologizing for raising public doubts and concerns over continued revelations in media reports about the party’s extensive ties to the church. The Unification Church, which was founded in South Korea in 1954 and came to Japan a decade later, has forged close ties with a host of conservative lawmakers over their shared interests of opposing communism. Abe’s grandfather and former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi was a key figure who helped establish the church’s political unit in Tokyo in 1968. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruitment, selling religious items and taking donations, which often led to financial strain on the families of followers and, experts say, on the mental health of the children of worshippers. The issues led to the ruling party’s decision to sever ties with the church. Abe sent a video message last year to the World Peace Federation, an international group linked to the church, which experts say may have been the suspect’s motive for Abe’s shooting. Abe had praised the federation’s co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon, who also heads the church, for her efforts in promoting traditional family values. Cult experts and observers also say the church has pushed its core agendas, such as opposition to women’s advancement and same-sex marriage, to influence politics. Kishida reshuffled his cabinet earlier in August to purge seven church-linked officials, including Abe’s younger brother Nobuo Kishi, who acknowledged that church followers had volunteered for his election campaign. Dozens of LDP members have since come forward with their ties to the church and related organizations. Kishida said he had instructed LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi to investigate the party over any other members’ ties to the church. Kishida apologized for the loss of public trust over the scandal and the lack of explanation for organizing a state funeral for Abe, one of the most divisive leaders in Japan’s postwar history. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The state funeral, scheduled for September 27, has divided public opinion. Kishida’s cabinet last week budgeted at least ¥250m (£1.5m) to invite around 6,000 guests for the funeral at the Budokan arena in Tokyo. Kishida insisted Abe deserved a state funeral because of his achievement in raising Japan’s global profile as its longest-serving post-war leader. He said Japan should respond with courtesy to the “outpouring of condolences” from foreign leaders and legislation. Protesters on Wednesday hold signs against the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Hundreds of people gathered outside the parliament grounds later on Wednesday to protest plans for a state funeral. Holding signs and banners reading “No to state funeral”, “Don’t make us mourn” and “Abe’s policy is destroying Japan”, participants chanted slogans and raised their hands.

title: “Japan S Prime Minister Cuts Ties With Unification Church After Shinzo Abe S Death Japan Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Celeste Cardinale”

Cozy ties between members of Kishida’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, many of whom belong to Abe’s faction, and the South Korean-born church have emerged since Abe was shot dead while giving a campaign speech in July. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, reportedly told police he killed Abe because of his apparent connection to the church. In a letter and social media posts believed to be his own, Yamagami said he believed his mother’s large donations to the church had ruined his life. Some Japanese expressed understanding, even sympathy, as details of the man’s life emerged, creating profound consequences for the political party that has ruled Japan virtually uninterrupted since the second world war. While religious groups must comply with the law, “politicians are strictly required to be careful with groups with social problems,” Kishida said. Members of his cabinet and other key officials agreed to review their previous ties and sever their ties to the church. “As chairman of the LDP, I sincerely apologize,” Kishida said, apologizing for raising public doubts and concerns over continued revelations in media reports about the party’s extensive ties to the church. The Unification Church, which was founded in South Korea in 1954 and came to Japan a decade later, has forged close ties with a host of conservative lawmakers over their shared interests of opposing communism. Abe’s grandfather and former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi was a key figure who helped establish the church’s political unit in Tokyo in 1968. Since the 1980s, the church has faced accusations of problematic recruitment, selling religious items and taking donations, which often led to financial strain on the families of followers and, experts say, on the mental health of the children of worshippers. The issues led to the ruling party’s decision to sever ties with the church. Abe sent a video message last year to the World Peace Federation, an international group linked to the church, which experts say may have been the suspect’s motive for Abe’s shooting. Abe had praised the federation’s co-founder Hak Ja Han Moon, who also heads the church, for her efforts in promoting traditional family values. Cult experts and observers also say the church has pushed its core agendas, such as opposition to women’s advancement and same-sex marriage, to influence politics. Kishida reshuffled his cabinet earlier in August to purge seven church-linked officials, including Abe’s younger brother Nobuo Kishi, who acknowledged that church followers had volunteered for his election campaign. Dozens of LDP members have since come forward with their ties to the church and related organizations. Kishida said he had instructed LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi to investigate the party over any other members’ ties to the church. Kishida apologized for the loss of public trust over the scandal and the lack of explanation for organizing a state funeral for Abe, one of the most divisive leaders in Japan’s postwar history. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The state funeral, scheduled for September 27, has divided public opinion. Kishida’s cabinet last week budgeted at least ¥250m (£1.5m) to invite around 6,000 guests for the funeral at the Budokan arena in Tokyo. Kishida insisted Abe deserved a state funeral because of his achievement in raising Japan’s global profile as its longest-serving post-war leader. He said Japan should respond with courtesy to the “outpouring of condolences” from foreign leaders and legislation. Protesters on Wednesday hold signs against the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Hundreds of people gathered outside the parliament grounds later on Wednesday to protest plans for a state funeral. Holding signs and banners reading “No to state funeral”, “Don’t make us mourn” and “Abe’s policy is destroying Japan”, participants chanted slogans and raised their hands.