This program is live captioned by
Red
This program is live captioned by Red Bee Media.
So,
So, this
So, this is a boxed set of books
that
So, this is a boxed set of books that my-in-laws sent to us for our
kids.
that my-in-laws sent to us for our kids. I won't be reading this to
them,
kids. I won't be reading this to them, but I will share it with you.
The
them, but I will share it with you. The story starts out with this king
who
The story starts out with this king who wants to build a bridge and he
is
who wants to build a bridge and he is asking all the people in the
country
is asking all the people in the country for financial support to
build
country for financial support to build that bridge. And then one man
volunteers
build that bridge. And then one man volunteers and gives all of his
money,
volunteers and gives all of his money, every last penny, and as a
result
money, every last penny, and as a result of this generous donation,
then
result of this generous donation, then he has a dream and an angel or
someone
then he has a dream and an angel or someone comes to tell him that one
of
someone comes to tell him that one of his descendants will be the only
begotten
of his descendants will be the only begotten daughter of God. Yeah,
there
begotten daughter of God. Yeah, there is definitely some blatant
grooming
there is definitely some blatant grooming for financial abuse and for
exploitation
grooming for financial abuse and for exploitation of all kinds, and I've
been
exploitation of all kinds, and I've been on the receiving end of that.
These
been on the receiving end of that. These children's books are the work
of
These children's books are the work of the Unification Church, a
powerful
of the Unification Church, a powerful Relf youse group commonly
derided
powerful Relf youse group commonly derided as The Moonies. Jinae was
born
derided as The Moonies. Jinae was born and raised in the Church, but
following
born and raised in the Church, but following an arranged marriage that
took
following an arranged marriage that took her to Japan, she began to lose
her
took her to Japan, she began to lose her faith.
I
her faith. I think it is a high-controlled
religious
I think it is a high-controlled religious group. I would call it a
cult.
religious group. I would call it a cult. Especially in Japan, I saw so
much
cult. Especially in Japan, I saw so much exploitation and heard all
these
much exploitation and heard all these horrendous stories and I can't
support
these horrendous stories and I can't support something that harms people
in
support something that harms people in that kind of way.
Jinae
in that kind of way. Jinae has since left the Church of,
but
Jinae has since left the Church of, but now her former religion has been
linked
but now her former religion has been linked to one of the most shocking
moments
linked to one of the most shocking moments in Japanese history. When I
heard
moments in Japanese history. When I heard about the assassination of
Abe,
heard about the assassination of Abe, I was shocked. I would never
have
Abe, I was shocked. I would never have expected somebody to take it to
that
have expected somebody to take it to that level.
Tonight
that level. Tonight I'm headed to Japan and into
the
Tonight I'm headed to Japan and into the world of the Unification Church,
to
the world of the Unification Church, to find out why the son of a devotee
is
to find out why the son of a devotee is accused of murdering Shinzo Abe.
Japan,
Japan, to
Japan, to mes my second home. I've
always
Japan, to mes my second home. I've always known it to be a calm and
peaceful
always known it to be a calm and peaceful place, filled with unique
beauty
peaceful place, filled with unique beauty and kind people.
But,
But, on
But, on July eighth last year, my
image
But, on July eighth last year, my image of that Japan was shattered.
It
image of that Japan was shattered. It was an election year and in
the city of Nara, former prime minister
Shinzo
city of Nara, former prime minister Shinzo Abe spoke at a rally for a
Liberal
Shinzo Abe spoke at a rally for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate.
At
Liberal Democratic Party candidate. At 11.30am, two gunshots were heard
behind
At 11.30am, two gunshots were heard behind him. (GUNFIRE)
Abe
behind him. (GUNFIRE) Abe collapsed, clutching his chest.
The
Abe collapsed, clutching his chest. The shooter, a middle-aged man, was
immediately
The shooter, a middle-aged man, was immediately arrested, but the damage
was
immediately arrested, but the damage was done. Local media in Japan is
reporting
was done. Local media in Japan is reporting that former prime minister
Shinzo
reporting that former prime minister Shinzo Abe has died.
At
Shinzo Abe has died. At 5.03pm, Shinzo Abe, one of
Japan's
At 5.03pm, Shinzo Abe, one of Japan's longest serving prime
ministers
Japan's longest serving prime ministers was declared dead.
The
ministers was declared dead. The nation's journalists like
Yasuomi
The nation's journalists like Yasuomi Sawa were among the first on
the
Yasuomi Sawa were among the first on the case. Desperate to find out who
killed
the case. Desperate to find out who killed Abe and why.
Abe
Abe was
Abe was popular in the West, but at
home
Abe was popular in the West, but at home he was a divisive figure. His
politics
home he was a divisive figure. His politics was seen as conservative
and
politics was seen as conservative and he was criticised for attacking
civil
and he was criticised for attacking civil society and press freedom. But
reporters
civil society and press freedom. But reporters soon discovered his killer
wasn't
reporters soon discovered his killer wasn't driven by politics.
How
wasn't driven by politics. How did journalists find out about
the
How did journalists find out about the motive of Abe's shooter?
According
According to police, the shooter,
41-year-old,
According to police, the shooter, 41-year-old, Tetsuya Yamagami,
claimed
41-year-old, Tetsuya Yamagami, claimed his mother had been
bankrupted
claimed his mother had been bankrupted by a religious
organisation
bankrupted by a religious organisation later named as the
Unification
organisation later named as the Unification Church. Police allege
Yamagami
Unification Church. Police allege Yamagami killed Abe in retaliation
for
Yamagami killed Abe in retaliation for supporting the group, but
officials
for supporting the group, but officials say the former prime
minister
officials say the former prime minister was not affiliated with the
Church
minister was not affiliated with the Church in any way. So, was the
attack
Church in any way. So, was the attack a tragic misunderstanding? Or
was
attack a tragic misunderstanding? Or was there more to the story?
The
The Family Federation for World
Peace
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, also known as
the
Peace and Unification, also known as the Unification Church, was founded
in
the Unification Church, was founded in Korea in 1954. Nicknamed The
Moonies
in Korea in 1954. Nicknamed The Moonies after their leader Sun Myung
Moon,
Moonies after their leader Sun Myung Moon, the faithful believe Moon to
be
Moon, the faithful believe Moon to be a Messiah who has divined the
keys
be a Messiah who has divined the keys to creating a literal heaven on
Earth.
keys to creating a literal heaven on Earth. Moon was staunchly
anti-Communist
Earth. Moon was staunchly anti-Communist and his church spread
internationally
anti-Communist and his church spread internationally during the cold War,
gaining
internationally during the cold War, gaining notoriety for its so-called
mass
gaining notoriety for its so-called mass weddings.
Today
mass weddings. Today the Church operates in 120
countries
Today the Church operates in 120 countries and has 600,000 members.
But
countries and has 600,000 members. But since Abe's murder, accusations
of
But since Abe's murder, accusations of fraud and political interference
have
of fraud and political interference have plagued the Church in Japan,
allegations
have plagued the Church in Japan, allegations it strenuously denies.
I've
allegations it strenuously denies. I've come to the Unification Church
to
I've come to the Unification Church to talk to a few members. They are
quite
to talk to a few members. They are quite nervous about speaking to the
press
quite nervous about speaking to the press at the moment, but there is a
protest
press at the moment, but there is a protest going on right outside and I
want
protest going on right outside and I want to know what it's about. What
are
want to know what it's about. What are you doing here today? We are
protesting
are you doing here today? We are protesting about the Unification
Church
protesting about the Unification Church because this is very
dangerous
Church because this is very dangerous organisation. A lot of
families
dangerous organisation. A lot of families have been destroyed.
And
families have been destroyed. And with the camera that you have
set
And with the camera that you have set up there, are you live streaming
this?
set up there, are you live streaming this? Yes, to YouTube. We want
people
this? Yes, to YouTube. We want people to know that there is a
Satanism
people to know that there is a Satanism in this and they are always
targeting
Satanism in this and they are always targeting the Japanese people, from
the
targeting the Japanese people, from the young to the old.
Well,
the young to the old. Well, thank you so much for your
time.
Well, thank you so much for your time. Inside, I find a frightened
man.
Since
Since Abe's death, church followers
like
Since Abe's death, church followers like this man, who we will call
Take,
like this man, who we will call Take, have become afraid for their
safety.
Take, have become afraid for their safety. These images supplied to us
by
safety. These images supplied to us by the Church, claim to show
vandalism,
by the Church, claim to show vandalism, death threats and
disturbing
vandalism, death threats and disturbing items mailed to
followers,
disturbing items mailed to followers, including white powders
and
followers, including white powders and razor blades. Take, a working
father
and razor blades. Take, a working father and member of the Church, has
agreed
father and member of the Church, has agreed to speak to us if we hide his
identity.
What
What is
What is the mission of the
Unification
What is the mission of the Unification Church?
In
In church
In church literature and educational
videos
In church literature and educational videos like these, followers are
taught
videos like these, followers are taught that a marriage between the
second
taught that a marriage between the second coming of Christ and a
perfect
second coming of Christ and a perfect woman will create the True
Parents
perfect woman will create the True Parents of Humanity. Followers see
Moon
Parents of Humanity. Followers see Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han, has
the
Moon and his wife, Hak Ja Han, has the Devine couple and believe that
by
the Devine couple and believe that by marrying into the Church, they
bomb
by marrying into the Church, they bomb part of the Christ's image and
the
bomb part of the Christ's image and the true children of God. Abe's
killer
the true children of God. Abe's killer wasn't born into the church.
His
killer wasn't born into the church. His mother joined after the death of
her
His mother joined after the death of her husband and allegedly donated
over
her husband and allegedly donated over $1 million to the Church.
Followers
over $1 million to the Church. Followers like Take believe the
Church
Followers like Take believe the Church is now being unfairly blamed
for
Church is now being unfairly blamed for the assassination.
While
While church members question the
assassin's
While church members question the assassin's story, lawyer, Hiroshi
Tamaguchi,
assassin's story, lawyer, Hiroshi Tamaguchi, believes the killer was
telling
Tamaguchi, believes the killer was telling the truth.
Tamburini. Hiroshi Tamaguchi heads a
group
Tamburini. Hiroshi Tamaguchi heads a group called National Network of
Lawyers
group called National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales.
Founded
Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales. Founded in 1987, they say they've
helped
Founded in 1987, they say they've helped more than 300 victims recover
money
helped more than 300 victims recover money lost to the Church.
As
As part
As part of church dogma, followers
are
As part of church dogma, followers are encouraged to buy mystical
gifts.
are encouraged to buy mystical gifts. The exorbitantly priced items
like
gifts. The exorbitantly priced items like marble vases, stone pagodas and
Julie,
like marble vases, stone pagodas and Julie, can supposedly cure a
follower's
Julie, can supposedly cure a follower's problems or release their
ancestors
follower's problems or release their ancestors from purge tri-. These
so-called
ancestors from purge tri-. These so-called spiritual sales are
illegal
so-called spiritual sales are illegal in Japan, but the LDP
Government,
illegal in Japan, but the LDP Government, which Abe formerly led,
has
Government, which Abe formerly led, has long been criticised for
ignoring
has long been criticised for ignoring the practice, leaving
victims
ignoring the practice, leaving victims feeling abandoned, like
Abe's
victims feeling abandoned, like Abe's killer.
Leaving
Leaving Tokyo for the remote island
town
Leaving Tokyo for the remote island town of Kochi, I meet a father who
says
town of Kochi, I meet a father who says he lost more than money to the
Unification
says he lost more than money to the Unification Church.
In
In 2020,
In 2020, Ataushi
.
In 2020, Ataushi . Tatsuo Hashida's eldest son took
his
. Tatsuo Hashida's eldest son took his own life. What was your son's
name?
Hashida
Hashida is not a member of the
Church,
Hashida is not a member of the Church, but says his wife joined
soon
Church, but says his wife joined soon after they were married.
Hashida
soon after they were married. Hashida let his sons be raised in
the
Hashida let his sons be raised in the faith, a decision he claims cost
them
the faith, a decision he claims cost them dearly.
Hashida
Hashida divorced in 2011. He now
believes
Hashida divorced in 2011. He now believes his ex-wife' excessive
donations
believes his ex-wife' excessive donations and the influence of the
Church
donations and the influence of the Church were contributing factors to
his
Church were contributing factors to his son's suicide.
Hashida
Hashida has since gone public with
his
Hashida has since gone public with his story and is planning to launch
legal
his story and is planning to launch legal action against the Church. In
response,
legal action against the Church. In response, the Church released this:
This
This interview, featuring Hashida's
ex-wife,
This interview, featuring Hashida's ex-wife, was posted to YouTube N the
7-minute
ex-wife, was posted to YouTube N the 7-minute clip, she denies neglecting
her
7-minute clip, she denies neglecting her children and refutes claims her
relationship
her children and refutes claims her relationship with the Church played
any
relationship with the Church played any part in her son's death.
There
There is
There is no way of knowing why
Hashida's
There is no way of knowing why Hashida's son took his own life.
But
Hashida's son took his own life. But in the wake of Abe's
assassination,
But in the wake of Abe's assassination, I wanted to know what
Church
assassination, I wanted to know what Church leaders had to say. My
translator
Church leaders had to say. My translator and I were granted a rare
interview
translator and I were granted a rare interview inside the Church's Tokyo
headquarters.
interview inside the Church's Tokyo headquarters. What you're about to
hear
headquarters. What you're about to hear is audio from that interview.
The
hear is audio from that interview. The man I spoke to did not want to
be
The man I spoke to did not want to be identified on camera.
We've
be identified on camera. We've heard that the Church
acknowledged
We've heard that the Church acknowledged that it accepted
excessive
acknowledged that it accepted excessive donations from the
shooter's
excessive donations from the shooter's mother. What is
"excessive"?
In
In 2009,
In 2009, several companies run by
Church
In 2009, several companies run by Church followers were found guilty
of
Church followers were found guilty of conducting spiritual sales in
breach
of conducting spiritual sales in breach of Japan's Specific
Commercial
breach of Japan's Specific Commercial Transactions Act. In
response,
Commercial Transactions Act. In response, the Church says it has
changed
response, the Church says it has changed the way it solicits
donations
changed the way it solicits donations and that Abe's murder has
triggered
donations and that Abe's murder has triggered even further reform.
Have
Have any
Have any members of the Church felt
concerned
Have any members of the Church felt concerned about what the shooter has
said?
But
But investigative journalist Sawa
tells
But investigative journalist Sawa tells me the leap is just a matter
of
tells me the leap is just a matter of looking at history.
So
of looking at history. So this was Abe's grandfather who
was
So this was Abe's grandfather who was stabbed right before he was
going
was stabbed right before he was going to step down from the prime
ministership?
going to step down from the prime ministership? Yes, indeed. In July
1960s
ministership? Yes, indeed. In July 1960s an attempt was made on the
life
1960s an attempt was made on the life of then Prime Minister Nobusuke
Kishi,
life of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, Shinzo Abe's grandfather. He,
too,
Kishi, Shinzo Abe's grandfather. He, too, was a controversial figure.
After
After resigning from office, Kishi
sought
After resigning from office, Kishi sought allies in his fight against
the
sought allies in his fight against the spread of communism in East
Asia.
the spread of communism in East Asia. Learning of Reverend Moon's
anti-Communist
Asia. Learning of Reverend Moon's anti-Communist stance, Kishi invited
him
anti-Communist stance, Kishi invited him to Japan. He helped Moon
establish
him to Japan. He helped Moon establish the Church, despite the
protests
establish the Church, despite the protests of politicians and the
public.
In
public. In essence, the grandfather of
Shinzo
In essence, the grandfather of Shinzo Abe brought the Unification
Church
Shinzo Abe brought the Unification Church to Japan.
Did
Church to Japan. Did Abe's shoot Erno the history of
Kishi,
Did Abe's shoot Erno the history of Kishi, of Abe and the Unification
Church?
TRANSLATION: Today, in honouring Dr
Hak
TRANSLATION: Today, in honouring Dr Hak Ja Han Moon and all of you, I
would
Hak Ja Han Moon and all of you, I would like to express my profound
thanks
would like to express my profound thanks for your tireless efforts
through
thanks for your tireless efforts through UPF in resolving disputes in
the
through UPF in resolving disputes in the world.
In
the world. In late 2021, Shinzo Abe made this
video
In late 2021, Shinzo Abe made this video appearance at an event
organised
video appearance at an event organised by Church members.
Appearing
organised by Church members. Appearing with other world leaders,
including
Appearing with other world leaders, including Donald Trump, Abe praises
Hak
including Donald Trump, Abe praises Hak Ja Han Moon, leader of the
Unification
Hak Ja Han Moon, leader of the Unification Church since 2012.
TRANSLATION:
Unification Church since 2012. TRANSLATION: I appreciate UPF's
focus
TRANSLATION: I appreciate UPF's focus and emphasis on family values.
For
focus and emphasis on family values. For many in Japan, this video is
alarming.
In
In Japan,
In Japan, no Relf youse organisation
is
In Japan, no Relf youse organisation is to receive privileges from the
state
is to receive privileges from the state or exercise any political
authority,
state or exercise any political authority, but the Church seems to
have
authority, but the Church seems to have found a way into the nation's
parliament.
So
So far,
So far, one-third of the LDP
government,
So far, one-third of the LDP government, along with members of
the
government, along with members of the Opposition, have admitted links
to
the Opposition, have admitted links to the Church. Current Prime
Minister
to the Church. Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has removed
several
Minister Fumio Kishida, has removed several ministers from his Cabinet
and
several ministers from his Cabinet and apologised to the Japanese
public.
The
public. The Church and its operations are
now
The Church and its operations are now the subject of a parliamentary
inquiry.
The
inquiry. The findings are due late they are
year
The findings are due late they are year and could see the Church's
status
year and could see the Church's status as a Relf youse corp
operation
status as a Relf youse corp operation revoked, severely limiting
its
operation revoked, severely limiting its ability to trade and fundraise.
In
its ability to trade and fundraise. In Japan, the fate of the
Unification
In Japan, the fate of the Unification Church now rests with
Japanese
Unification Church now rests with Japanese law-makers.
In
In the
In the end, the murder of Shinzo Abe
was
In the end, the murder of Shinzo Abe was so much more than a moment of
mayhem.
was so much more than a moment of mayhem. It was a tragedy
generations in the making.
And
in the making. And while the sins of a few may have
changed
And while the sins of a few may have changed my image of Japan, perhaps
the
changed my image of Japan, perhaps the story of the Church and the
assassin
the story of the Church and the assassin holds lessons for us all.
Coming
Coming up
Coming up - I meet the Japanese mum
going
Coming up - I meet the Japanese mum going to extreme lengths to save her
daughter
going to extreme lengths to save her daughter from disaster.
I
daughter from disaster. I can't help but think if there was
some
I can't help but think if there was some kind of attack, what happens
when
some kind of attack, what happens when you open this
when you open this door and go back
out
It
It may
It may be
It may be the home of Zen, but Japan
is
It may be the home of Zen, but Japan is one of the most disaster-prone
places
is one of the most disaster-prone places on the planet. Earthquakes,
volcanos,
places on the planet. Earthquakes, volcanos, tsunamis, typhoons, floods
-
volcanos, tsunamis, typhoons, floods - Japan has been hit by them all.
And
- Japan has been hit by them all. And with the increasing threat of a
nuclear
And with the increasing threat of a nuclear attack from North Korea,
more
nuclear attack from North Korea, more parents like Hiroko are taking
extreme
more parents like Hiroko are taking extreme measures to protect their
families.
Japan
Japan is
Japan is a booming market in the
$200
Japan is a booming market in the $200 billion global disaster
preparedness
$200 billion global disaster preparedness industry. A shelter
like
preparedness industry. A shelter like Hiroko's will set you back
about
like Hiroko's will set you back about $15,000, with more luxury
models
about $15,000, with more luxury models soaring into the hundreds of
thousands.
Oh,
thousands. Oh, this is it. Hiroko-san, how long
have
Oh, this is it. Hiroko-san, how long have you had the shelter?
Hiroko-san, would it be OK if I have
a
Hiroko-san, would it be OK if I have a look inside?
This
a look inside? This is exciting. I'm going in!
OK,
This is exciting. I'm going in! OK, so... I'm in... Just. It is
pretty
OK, so... I'm in... Just. It is pretty cosy, quite comfy. I have
food
pretty cosy, quite comfy. I have food here, water, I think food that
can
food here, water, I think food that can be rehydrated, a couple of nice
blankets,
can be rehydrated, a couple of nice blankets, a sleeping-bag. Lying
down,
blankets, a sleeping-bag. Lying down, I'm 167cm, so let's see how I
go.
down, I'm 167cm, so let's see how I go. There would be enough room and
there
go. There would be enough room and there is a television at the other
end
there is a television at the other end and an air-conditioner, so it
could
end and an air-conditioner, so it could be doable. It's a pretty small
space
could be doable. It's a pretty small space to be here for one or two days
and
space to be here for one or two days and I can't help but think if there
was
and I can't help but think if there was some kind after tack, what
happens
was some kind after tack, what happens when you open this door and
go
happens when you open this door and go back out to the world again?
Captions
Captions by
Red
Captions by Red Bee Media.