By KAZUMICHI KUBOTA/ Staff Writer
October 8, 2024 at 17:07 JST
Justice Minister Hideki Makihara speaks at a news conference after the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 8. (Kazumichi Kubota)
Justice Minister Hideki Makihara confirmed on Oct. 8 that he attended at least 10 gatherings and meetings organized by the Unification Church and its affiliated groups, although he claimed not to know they were connected.
He also said he had received campaign election support from a person affiliated with the church, formally called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.
At a news conference, Makihara said he attended one event hosted by the church and participated in nine events organized by its affiliated groups.
At nine of these gatherings, he gave a lecture or delivered speeches.
Makihara said that his attendance at church-affiliated groups’ events, including those attended by his secretaries on his behalf, totaled 34 occasions.
He reiterated that he “was not aware” of the connection with the church at the time.
Makihara also said that since his first run for the Lower House election in 2005, he had received support from an individual linked to the church as a campaign volunteer.
The person served as a campaign manager for a local assembly member who helped Makihara’s campaign, according to the justice minister.
Shortly after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, the Liberal Democratic Party conducted an internal review of its lawmakers’ connections with the church.
The alleged gunman apparently held a grudge toward Abe over his reported ties to the church.
At the time of the party’s response deadline, Makihara replied that the matter was still under review.
Therefore, his name was not included in the list of lawmakers whose connections to the church were confirmed and made public by the LDP in September 2022.
He explained that the timing of the review coincided with his overseas trip, which delayed him from checking the details.
He said he reported the results of his own review to the party by February 2023.
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