Former followers and lawyers lashed out at a top Unification Church official for his “unapologetic apology” and shirking of responsibility over the suffering caused mainly by huge donations given to his religious organization.

Tomihiro Tanaka, president of the church’s Japanese branch, apologized to former followers and children of followers for the hardships they endured at a news conference on Nov. 7.

But he said the church has no legal responsibility for the donations issue, insisting that it bears only a supervisory responsibility over its “inadequate guidance” to followers who sought excessive donations.

Attorney Katsuomi Abe, deputy secretary-general of the Lawyers from Across Japan for the Victims of the Unification Church, criticized Tanaka for showing “no intention to face up to the damage created by the church.”

“While he avoided referring to the damage and tried to keep the church’s responsibility from being pursued, he pretended to be apologetic and empathetic with former followers and others,” Abe said.

Attorney Yasuo Kawai, secretary-general of the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales, also said Tanaka is shifting the blame to rank-and-file followers.

“He also did not disclose what was excessive in seeking donations and why,” Kawai said.

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

A government investigation said the church continued using dubious practices to solicit donations from followers and push “spiritual sales” of high-priced goods.

These actions bankrupted and tore apart followers’ families, the investigation said.

Tanaka said the church’s missionaries failed to provide sufficient explanation or pay due consideration to the donors’ family and financial circumstances.

He also said it remains unclear who are victims and how much damage they suffered.

“We will not lightly use the word ‘victim’ when the victim is unclear and the amount of damage is also unclear,” he said.

Tanaka carefully qualified his apology by distinguishing it from something that should be offered only after victims are identified.

“Discussions (on the donations issue), including its criminality, just began in court,” he said. “It is unacceptable to consider all (claims for refunds) as ‘damage.’”

A former follower in her 60s said Tanaka’s news conference was “nothing but a sham to dodge the dissolution order and deceive the public.”

“I became angry, but I was more appalled by the sheer lack of remorse,” said the woman, who watched part of the news conference on TV during a break from her work.

“He just bowed his head as a formality,” she said. “If the church really intends to apologize, its leader, Hak Ja Han Moon, should apologize.”

A former follower in his 30s, whose parents are still believers, said Tanaka’s attitude of not admitting any responsibility on the part of the church has not changed.

A woman in her 60s, whose mother donated more than 100 million yen ($660,000) to the church before her death, attended a hearing held in the Diet by the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan on Nov. 7 after Tanaka’s news conference.

“Those victimized can never be convinced by a feigned apology with no admission of any legal responsibility,” she said. “Does the church have no intention to provide relief to victims?”

The woman said the news conference appears to have been arranged to stave off the dissolution order and possible legislation now being discussed by lawmakers to “preserve” the church’s property and prevent transfers of its assets.

Tanaka said the church plans to deposit 6 billion yen to 10 billion yen with the government so that the funds may be used to compensate those with claims against the church if the dissolution order is issued.

“Under current law, there is no system for such deposits,” he said. “We expect the government to prepare a system as a special measure.”

The Lawyers from Across Japan for the Victims of the Unification Church is demanding about 4 billion yen in compensation for about 120 victims through collective negotiations with the church.

Tanaka said the church’s proposed amount would be sufficient, even when additional claims are made for refunds, although the church has recognized only 800 million yen out of the 4 billion yen as legally valid.

However, government officials appear to be unimpressed by the church’s proposal.

“A deposit can be made only when it is stipulated in laws and regulations,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said. “I understand that whether a deposit is approved is determined in accordance with laws and regulations.”

An aide to the prime minister said the church’s offer is designed to avoid the dissolution order by winning leniency.

A senior official at the prime minister’s office also said the offer is aimed at preventing property preservation legislation from being compiled.