A religious group formerly known as the Unification Church has lodged an appeal with Japan’s Supreme Court over a fine imposed by a lower court.
The education and culture ministry requested a court order in October last year seeking the dissolution of the group. It has been investigating allegations that the group engaged in questionable marketing practices and solicited large donations from its followers.
The ministry exercised its legal authority to question the group seven times, but it claims the group refused to answer some questions. It therefore asked the Tokyo District Court to fine the group as an administrative punishment. In March, the court ordered the group’s leader, Tanaka Tomihiro, to pay a fine of 100,000 yen, or about 685 dollars.
The group immediately appealed the decision.
Last Tuesday, the Tokyo High Court upheld the lower court’s decision, imposing a fine of the same amount for the group’s failure to respond appropriately to the ministry’s questions.
The religious group appealed the latest decision to the Supreme Court on Monday.
The group argues that the Tokyo High Court’s decision violates the Constitution as well as past Supreme Court rulings, and is extremely unfair.
This is the first trial in Japan regarding the government’s rights to ask questions to religious organizations.