Politics | Jan 23

Japan warns Unification Church over murky child adoption practice

TOKYO, Jan 23 (Kyodo) - The Japanese government on Monday issued an administrative guidance to the Unification Church demanding it comply with the law amid allegations that it has arranged for child adoption between believers' families without authorization.

The religious group, which has been under scrutiny since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot last year by the son of an adherent, says in one of its publications that it is a "beautiful tradition" of the group to give up a child for adoption by childless families.

The adoption mediation law stipulates that permission from a prefectural government is required for the mediation business. If unauthorized mediation recurs, violations of the law are suspected regardless of whether the service is remunerated. ...continue reading

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