TOKYO -- Former followers of the Unification Church have expressed relief after the Tokyo District Court ordered the controversial religious group to dissolve amid criticism over its practice of soliciting donations, while lawyers demanded comprehensive relief measures for the victims.

"This country must not be exploited by cults," said Saeko Yamamoto (a pseudonym), a second-generation follower of the Unification Church, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. She and other victims shared their views on the court's March 25 dissolution order at a hearing held by opposition parties at Diet later that day.

Yamamoto was raised as a "blessed second-generation" child of parents who tied the knot in a mass wedding ceremony hosted by the Unification Church. She recalled her childhood at the hearing, saying, "I lived in constant fear of mounting debt and fear of not having food for the next day." While she expressed relief at the dissolution order, Yamamoto urged the government, "We still face the numerous mental and financial challenges. I want them addressed swiftly."

Ichiro Tamura (a pseudonym), a former second-generation follower in his 40s who had been a Unification Church member for over 20 years, expressed gratitude to the government for pursuing the dissolution order. At the same time, he voiced concerns, saying, "The church is making defamatory remarks targeting the education ministry, victims and their supporters. They could become more extreme."

The attorney group Lawyers from Across Japan for the Victims of the Unification Church held a press conference in Tokyo to praise the district court's decision. The group's head attorney Susumu Murakoshi stated that the court had "sincerely listened to the voices of victims and their families, and understood the severity of the situation." While acknowledging the ruling as a "significant step toward victim relief and preventing further harm," Murakoshi stressed the need for further efforts. He urged the Unification Church, "They should correct their attitude of not acknowledging the damage they have caused and offer apologies and compensation to all victims."

Currently, 183 groups consisting of 194 individuals are participating in collective negotiations with the church, demanding a total of 5.78 billion yen (about $38.5 million) in damages.

The National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales also held a news conference in Tokyo, and its secretary-general Sou Kimura demanded "apologies and appropriate compensation for all victims" from the religious group. He encouraged followers, including second- and third-generation believers, to seek advice from the Japan Legal Support Center at this time.

(Japanese original by Yutaka Yamada and Shota Harumashi, Tokyo City News Department)