The Japanese government has taken this step to protect children from coercive religious practices —covering psychological, physical, and neglectful behaviors.

These new guidelines will also push Japanese authorities to focus attention on the possibility that children may be unable to realise mental damage caused by abuse after being influenced by doctrine-based thinking and values. 

Religious groups that threaten or push children to partake in any activities that hinder a child’s career path based on religious doctrine, will face significant legal action. 

Parents cannot slap, punish or manipulate a child into taking part in religious practices if they chose not to. Even saying ‘you are going to hell’ will count as child abuse.

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare aims to further update child welfare centers about the details of this bill by the end of this year.

This movement comes after second generation members of the ‘Moonies’, also known as the Unification Church, have pushed to be recognised as victims of abuse. ARA City Radio claims that 90% of “second-generation” children felt forced into religious ceremonies. 

The Unification Church was ordered to dissolve by the Japanese government in March of this year.