Japan s House of Councillors Saturday passed a law to tighten restrictions on the solicitation of donations by religious and secular groups. The legislation is intended to prevent Japan s controversia.
Families and legal experts gave a mixed assessment to a new law aimed at providing relief to the kin of followers of religious organizations and other groups who suffered severe financial hardship as a result of unscrupulous fundraising practices.
Legislation to help people whose lives have been turned upside down because of huge donations to organizations is set to be passed into law before the current Diet session ends on Dec. 10 as an agreement is soon expected between the ruling coalition and opposition parties.
The Unification Church on Oct. 20 expressed regret for its recent actions taken against its opponents, but the religious organization’s words and promises to reform were met with skepticism and even anger from critics.