Photo/Illutration Tomihiro Tanaka, president of the Japanese branch of the Unification Church, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Nov. 7. (Kazushige Kobayashi)

The president of the Japanese branch of the Unification Church apologized to former followers and others on Nov. 7 over large donations made to the church and the hardships they created. 

“I must frankly apologize to all those who have suffered due to the lack of guidance from our organization,” Tomihiro Tanaka said at the beginning of a news conference, bowing his head. “I sincerely apologize once again to second-generation followers and the people of Japan.”

It was Tanaka's first news conference after the government requested a court order in October to dissolve the church, now called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.

It marked the first public apology from a top church official over the donations issue since the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year, which thrust the church into the spotlight under increased criticism.

But Tanaka vowed that the church will fight the government’s request for a disbandment order.

“We cannot accept a dissolution order at all from the viewpoint of freedom of religion and the rule of law,” he said. “We will continue to stand firm on that legal ground.”

Tanaka referred to discussions on the enactment of a law to preserve the church’s property due partly to concerns that its assets may be transferred overseas.

“There is absolutely no concern about the transfer of our organization’s assets overseas before a dissolution order is finalized in court,” he said. “There is absolutely no need for a law on property preservation measures.”

Tanaka said he is convinced that the church’s legal arguments will be accepted in court.

Still, he said until a judicial decision is made, the church plans to deposit 6 billion yen to 10 billion yen ($40 million to $67 million) with the government.

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