AP reports that Japan's government today asked the Tokyo District Court to revoke the Unification Church's status as a religious organization. Japan's branch of the Church is known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The step was taken after an Education Ministry investigation concluded that the Church for decades has manipulated its followers into donating money. According to Japan's Education Minister, the church pushed its followers to purchase expensive goods and donate money beyond their financial ability, causing fear and harm to them and their families. If successful, the government action would remove the Church's tax exemption, but would not prevent it from operating in the country. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]
