本投稿は以下の記事のDeepL翻訳（一部、管理人修正済み）です。
This post is a DeepL translation (partially revised by the blog administrator) of the following article.
[Unification Church] The Church in South Korea in crisis, "more serious than when the founder died"
[2022/08/20 22:30].
This week, LDP policy chief Hagiuda and LDP Upper House member Ikuina revealed that they had visited a Unification Church facility just prior to the announcement of the Upper House election.
The demonstration by Unification Church followers took place in Seoul, South Korea, on March 18. A local reporter who has been covering the Unification Church for 15 years believes that there is a strong sense of crisis on the part of the church behind this demonstration.
Citizen of Hachioji, the electoral zone of Hagiuda and Ikuina
'I'm from Hachioji, so I think everyone, I guess, had high expectations.'
The city of Hachioji, Tokyo, became the scene of allegations this week over the relationship between politics and the Unification Church.
■LDP policy chief Hagiwada, August 18th
Ikuina and I visited the facility in Koyasucho, Hachioji.
LDP policy chief Hagiuda and House of Councilors member Ikuina revealed that they had visited a facility of the Unification Church just before the announcement of the House of Councilors election.
The cabinet reshuffle and LDP party executive appointments took place on August 10.
The day before that, Prime Minister Kishida ordered an inspection and review of relations with the Unification Church at a press conference.
Prime Minister Kishida on the 9th
Prime Minister Kishida stated, "It is a prerequisite for the new cabinet members and party executives that the Kishida administration inspects and strictly reviews its relationship with the Unification Church."
On August 10th, Mr. Hagiuda, newly appointed chairman of the policy research committee, announced the following
■LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hagiuda, August 10
Hagiuda, who became the LDP's new policy chief on August 10, said, "Regarding the so-called Unification Church, I reported that I attended an event of a related organization".
However, after the report, it was revealed that, apart from that event, he had visited the cult's facilities in June...
■LDP policy chief Hagiuda, August 18th
"I was aware of the Unification Church's business practices during the Showa period, but I never heard any bad rumors after that, nor did I have any opportunities to come in contact with such reports. I had a feeling about the relationship between that organization and the Unification Church because the names are very similar, but I didn't dare to mention it".
Ikuina's office commented on the circumstances surrounding Hagiuda's and Ikuina's visit to the church's facilities.
■Comment from Mr. Ikuina's office on the August 17th
"One of the people who heard our speech at the time asked us to speak to them because they had other friends gathered there, and our staff decided that since we were newcomers, we wanted more people to hear our policies. The staff determined as such."
Mr. Hagiuda also mentioned...
■LDP policy chief Hagiwada, August 18th
"As for Ms. Ikuina, this is her first election and, to be honest, we were not sure what kind of activities we should conduct, and we had some inquiries on the spot. I agreed to visit her and went."
Mr. Hagiuda, who was Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry at the time, visited the cult's facilities with Ms. Ikuina, in response to a sudden request from audience members.
Voters in Hachioji City, Mr. Hagiuda's hometown, said...
"I think that's an unreasonable excuse".
"As a Hachioji resident, I want to support him, but...it's a little sad."
Ms. Ikuina was interviewed prior to Mr. Hagiuda.
■LDP Upper House Representative Ikuina, August 18th
"I was so busy trying to fix my face because it was hot and trying to figure out what I was going to say and make sure I said it correctly and without mistakes that I didn't look at anything."
Mr. Hagiuda responded to media reports that followers of the cult had supported his election.
■Mr. Hagiuda, LDP policy policy chief on August 18th.
"I may not deny that there was such a person among those who supported me, but I don't know".
As for future relations...
■LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Hagiwada, August 18
Question: "You mean you will never build a relationship with them again?"
Answer: "I will take appropriate measures".
There have been major developments in South Korea, the "home" of the Unification Church.
■Protest demonstrations
"Stop distorting the news and suppressing religion! Suspend it!"
Japanese songs, clapping, and mourning for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The demonstration by followers of the Unification Church took place in Seoul, South Korea, on August 18.
More than 3,000 people are estimated to have participated, mostly Japanese women who married into Korea in a mass wedding ceremonies.
A local reporter who has been covering the Unification Church for 15 years believes that there is a strong sense of crisis on the part of the church behind this demonstration.
■Reporter Joo-yeol Song, CBS Korea
"The sense of crisis felt by the Unification Church seems to be more serious than when (founder) Sun Myung Moon died. Even people inside the church were talking about it. Generally, in Korea, the Unification Church is perceived as a religion with a lot of money. Through the shooting incident of former Prime Minister Abe, it became known that "money was flowing in from Japanese believers," leading the Korean public to believe that it smelled fishy".
He also said that the demonstration was more of a message to Japan.
■CBS Korea's Song Ju-yeol
"The Unification Church has been able to have a worldwide network because Japanese funds played a major role, and I think there is a sense of crisis that it will be difficult to maintain the Unification Church if the Japanese base disappears."
Saturday Station, August 20, OA
