Photo/Illutration A building that houses the Unification Church (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

A law took effect on Jan. 5 to help victims recoup financial losses from unscrupulous fundraising practices perpetrated by religious organizations and other groups.

The Diet passed the legislation on Dec. 10 in response to harrowing stories from former followers of the Unification Church and family members about how lives were ruined through hefty and repeated donations.

The religious group, now formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is known for its aggressive donation tactics.

The law bans six dubious activities, such as coercing a person into making unreasonably large donations by “reikan shoho,” or spiritual sales.

Such donations can be canceled after up to 10 years.

Under a stipulation expected to become effective in 2023, the law also bans groups from asking people to make donations by taking out loans or selling property.

According to the law, the central government can order groups to halt activities when it finds a violation.

If a group does not comply with such an order, violators could be charged and face a maximum one-year prison sentence or a fine of up to 1 million yen ($7,560).

The law also says certain things must be present to determine if donations seemingly provided willingly and voluntarily were actually collected inappropriately because the donor was under mind control.

Such conditions include the suppression of the individual’s free will or the person was put into a situation where it was difficult to make a reasonable decision.

A group that conducts such activities can be named and shamed by the government.

Administrative measures under the law will become effective by the end of 2023 after a “get-acquainted” period.

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