Editing Anti-cult movement (section)

== National or regional anti-cult movements ==

===United States===
The first organized opposition to new religions in the United States appeared in 1971 with the formation of FREECOG (Parents Committee to Free Our Sons and Daughters from the [[The Family International|Children of God]]).<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Wooten |first1=James T. |title=Ill Winds Buffet Communal Sect |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/29/archives/ill-winds-buffet-communal-sect-ill-winds-buffet-a-communal-sect-of.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=29 November 1971 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230627200506/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/29/archives/ill-winds-buffet-communal-sect-ill-winds-buffet-a-communal-sect-of.html |archive-date=27 June 2023 |page=41|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Chryssides, ''Exploring New Religions'', 346–347.</ref> In 1973, FREECOG renamed itself as the Volunteer Parents of America, and then the [[Citizens' Freedom Foundation|Citizens Freedom Foundation]] (CFF), before becoming the [[Cult Awareness Network]] (CAN) in 1984.<ref name=":1" /> In 1979, another anti-cult group, the [[American Family Foundation]] (AFF) was founded (which is now the [[International Cultic Studies Association]]); it began organizing annual conferences, launched an information phone-line, and published the ''[[Cult Observer]]'' and the ''[[Cultic Studies Journal]]''.<ref name=":2" /> In 1996, CAN was sued for its involvement in the deprogramming of a member of the [[United Pentecostal Church International]] named [[Jason Scott case|Jason Scott]].<ref>Melton, "Anti-Cultists in the United States," 228.</ref> Other parties joined the lawsuit, and this [[Bankruptcy|bankrupted]] the organization. A group which included a number of [[Scientologists]] purchased the "Cult Awareness Network" name and formed the "[[New Cult Awareness Network]]."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knapp |first=Dan |date=December 19, 1996 |title=Group that once criticized Scientologists now owned by one |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9612/19/scientology/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061223084700/http://cnn.com/US/9612/19/scientology |archive-date=2006-12-23 |access-date=2023-01-02 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> In the 1970s and 1980s American anti-cultist and [[Deprogramming|deprogrammer]] [[Ted Patrick]] was charged at least thirteen times and convicted at least three times for [[kidnapping]] and [[unlawful imprisonment]] for his deprogramming activities.<ref>Howard O. Hunter and Polly J. Price. [https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2069&context=lawreview "Regulation of Religious Proselytism in the United States."] (PDF) ''Brigham Young University Law Review'' no. 2 (2001): 546.</ref><ref name="nyt-08301980">{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1980 |title=Ted Patrick Convicted of Seizing Woman Said to Have Joined Cult; Escaped From Abductors |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/08/30/archives/ted-patrick-convicted-of-seizing-woman-said-to-have-joined-cult.html}}</ref> In 1980, Patrick was convicted of "[[conspiracy]], [[false imprisonment]] and [[kidnapping]]" of Roberta McElfish, a waitress in [[Tucson, Arizona]], after accepting [[United States dollar|US$]]7,500 from her family to deprogram her.<ref name="nyt-08301980" />

=== Europe ===
In the [[European Union]], the [[European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Sectarianism|FECRIS]] ({{Lang|fr|Fédération Européenne des Centres de Recherche et d'Information sur le Sectarisme, English: European Federation of Centres of Research and Information on Sectarianism}}) organization has been active since 1994 as an [[Umbrella organization|umbrella]] for European organizations investigating the activities of groups labeled to be cults or sects.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.hrwf.net/images/reports/2012/2012fecrisbook.pdf |title=Freedom of Religion or Belief, Anti-Sect Movements and State Neutrality, A Case Study: FECRIS |publisher=Religion – Staat – Gesellschaft, Journal for the Study of Beliefs and Worldviews |year=2012 |isbn=978-3-643-99894-1 |editor-last=Besier |editor-first=Gerhard |publication-place=Berlin |pages=183–189 |language=en |issn=1438-955X |editor-last2=Seiwert |editor-first2=Hubert |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528205709/http://www.hrwf.net/images/reports/2012/2012fecrisbook.pdf |archive-date=2020-05-28}}</ref>

The European Coordination for Freedom of Conscience, a participating organization in the EU Fundamental Rights Platform, issued a report on FECRIS in 2014, describing the differences between how the organization describes itself and what its key figures actually do and say. It summarized that "activities of FECRIS constitute a contravention of the principles of respect and tolerance of beliefs... [and] is in direct opposition to the principles of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] and other international human rights instruments."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-09-17 |title=Question about a European "NGO" FECRIS {{!}} CAP Freedom of Conscience |url=https://freedomofconscience.eu/2014-04-question-about-the-fecris/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |publisher=European Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== France ====
{{See also|About–Picard law|MIVILUDES|Centre contre les manipulations mentales|Parliamentary Commission on Cults in France}}

Anti-cult organizations in France have included the [[Centre Roger Ikor]] (1981–) and MILS ([[Mission interministérielle de lutte contre les sectes]]; English: "Interministerial Mission in the Fight Against [[Cult]]s"), operational from 7 October 1998. [[MIVILUDES]], established in 2002, subsumed some of their operations. MIVILUDES has been criticized for the broad scope of its list of cults, which included both non-religious organizations and criteria for inclusion which [[Bishop]] [[Jean Vernette]], the national secretary of the French episcopate to the study of cults and [[new religious movement]]s, said could be applied to almost all religions.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Elizabeth |date=2020-05-04 |title=An In-depth Look at the Negative Impact of the French Anti-Cult Movement |url=https://curiousmindmagazine.com/an-indepth-look-at-the-negative-impact-of-the-french-anti-cult-movement/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |magazine=Curious Mind Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> MIVILUDES officials are under the French [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Ministry of the Interior]] as of January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kheniche |first=Ouafia |date=2019-10-01 |title=Lutte contre les sectes : la Miviludes va disparaître |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/exclusif-lutte-contre-les-sectes-la-miviludes-va-disparaitre-2513982 |access-date=2022-08-14 |work=France Inter |language=fr}}</ref> The [[About-Picard law]] against sects and cultic influence that "undermine [[human rights]] and [[fundamental freedoms]]" as well as [[mental manipulation]] was established in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hensley |first=Jon |date=2000-06-22 |title=Church attacks new French anti-cult law |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/23/jonhenley |access-date=2022-08-12 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== United Kingdom ====
{{See also|The Family Survival Trust|Cult Information Centre|Reachout Trust}}
In the UK, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] [[Paul Rose (British politician)|Paul Rose]] established the first major British anti-cult group called [[The Family Survival Trust|FAIR]] (Family Action Information and Rescue/Resource) in 1976.<ref name=":4" /> In 1987, [[Ian Haworth]] founded the [[Cult Information Centre]].<ref>Elisabeth Arweck. "Anti-Cult Movement: FAIR, Cult Information Centre (CIC)." In ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements'', edited by [[Peter B. Clarke]], 35–37. London and New York: Routledge, 2006. 37.</ref> Other groups like [[Deo Gloria Trust]], [[Reachout Trust]], [[Graham Baldwin|Catalyst]], [[People's Organised Workshop on Ersatz Religion]], and [[Cultists Anonymous]] also grew during the 1970s and 1980s.<ref>[[The Family Survival Trust|Casey McCann]]. "The British Anti-Cult Movement... A View From Within." ''[[Journal of Contemporary Religion]]'' 3, no. 2 (1986): 6–8.</ref><ref name=":4">George D. Chryssides. "Britain's Anti-cult movement." In ''New Religious Movements: Changes and Responses'', edited by Jamie Cresswell and Bryan Wilson, 257–273. London and New York: Routledge, 1999.</ref><ref name=":0" />

In 1968, after a large movement from the public to investigate Scientology's effects on the health and well-being of its adherents, [[Minister of Health (United Kingdom)|Minister of Health]] [[Kenneth Robinson (British politician)|Kenneth Robinson]] implemented measures to prevent the immigration of foreign and [[British Commonwealth|Commonwealth]] Scientologists into the United Kingdom.<ref>John A. Robilliard. ''Religion and the Law: Religious Liberty in Modern English Law.'' Manchester and Dover, NH: Manchester University Press, 1984. 106–109.</ref><ref>Richardson and van Driel, "New Religious Movements in Europe," 154.</ref> One measure was the automatic denial of [[student visa]] applications for foreign nationals seeking to study at Hubbard College at [[East Grinstead]] or any other Scientological educational institution. Additionally, [[work permit]]s to foreign nationals seeking employment in Scientology establishments were restricted.<ref>Eileen Barker, "The British Right to Discriminate," ''[[Society (journal)|Society]]'' 21, no. 4 (1984): 35–41 [38–39].</ref><ref>Richardson and Van Driel, "New Religious Movements in Europe: Developments and Reactions," 154.</ref> These measures were lifted in 1980 after a [[Foster Report|1971 investigation]] headed by [[John Foster (MP for Northwich)|John G. Foster]] believed that the "Scientology ban" was unfair.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://ia803209.us.archive.org/1/items/FosterReportEnquiryIntoThePracticeAndEffectsOfScientology/Foster%20Report%20-%20Enquiry%20into%20the%20Practice%20and%20Effects%20of%20Scientology.pdf |first=John |last=Foster |author-link=John Foster (MP for Northwich) | title = Enquiry into the Practice and Effects of Scientology | publisher = [[Her Majesty's Stationery Office]], London | date = December 1971}} UK National Archive piece reference [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=8070954&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5&j=1 MH 153/606]. ([https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Cowen/audit/fosthome.html alternative html version])</ref> Despite this investigation, the [[European Court of Justice]] ruled that the United Kingdom was entitled to refuse the right of entry to nationals of [[European Union]] [[member state]]s seeking employment in Scientology establishments.<ref name=":9">Barker, "British Right to Discriminate," 39.</ref> Sociologist [[Eileen Barker]] believes that three reasons led to the lifting of the "ban": (1) it was unenforceable, (2) it was hard to defend before the [[European Court of Human Rights]], and (3) it was unfair since it was the only new religious movement that received such treatment.<ref name=":9" /> In 1999, the Church of Scientology attempted to obtain charitable status through the [[Charity Commission for England and Wales|Charity Commission of England and Wales]], but their application was rejected and the Church did not appeal the decision.<ref name=":5">Johnathan Benthall. "Scientology's Winning Streak." ''Anthropology Weekly'' 30, no. 1 (2014): 3–4.</ref> In 2013, the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|UK Supreme Court]] ruled that the [[Scientology in the United Kingdom|Scientology chapel in London]] was a "place of meeting for religious worship" that could be registered as a place of marriage to the [[General Register Office|Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages]].<ref name=":5" />

==== Austria ====
In Austria, the anti-cult movement is represented by GSK ({{Lang|de|Gesellschaft gegen Sekten und Kultgefahren}}), renamed in 1992 from the Association for Mental Health ({{Lang|de|Verein zur Wahrung der geistigen Freiheit}}), founded by psychologist Brigitte Rollett on September 29, 1977, engaged in an information campaign against religious minorities and new religious movements.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date=2016-11-27 |title=AUSTRIA: GSK: Is the FECRIS-branch of Austria becoming a shadow of itself? |work=Human Rights Without Frontiers |url=http://hrwf.eu/austria-gsk-is-the-fecris-branch-of-austria-becoming-a-shadow-of-itself/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127221729/http://hrwf.eu/austria-gsk-is-the-fecris-branch-of-austria-becoming-a-shadow-of-itself/ |archive-date=27 November 2016}}</ref> GSK is a declared member of FECRIS.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2015-08-15 |title=Members |website=FECRIS |url=http://www.fecris.org/members/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815230029/http://www.fecris.org/members/ |archive-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> Between 1992 and 2008, GSK was funded by the state government of the city of Vienna.<ref name=":03" /> According to the HRWF report, further financing from the funds of the state government of Lower Austria is non-transparent.<ref name=":03" />

==== Czech Republic ====
The Society for the Study of Sects and New Religious Direction ({{Lang|cs|Společnost pro studium sekt a nových náboženských směrů}}), which is considered by religionists to be an anti-cult movement, has been operating in the [[Czech Republic]] since 1993.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-03 |title=NOVÁ NÁBOŽENSKÁ HNUTÍ |url=http://www.oleweb.net/nnh/hnuti.htm |access-date=2023-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803003332/http://www.oleweb.net/nnh/hnuti.htm |archive-date=3 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nová náboženská hnutí (stručný úvod) [nová náboženská hnutí, sekty, nová religiozita] |url=http://www.david-zbiral.cz/NNHuvod.htm#_Toc151661446 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=www.david-zbiral.cz}}</ref>

==== Finland ====
In Finland from 1993 operates organisation U.U.T. ({{Lang|fi|Uskontojen uhrien tuki}}), Support Group for the Victims of Religions, which is a FECRIS member.<ref name=":10" />

=== Australia ===
Australia's anti-cult movement began in the 1970s with the introduction of NRMs like [[Scientology]] and the [[Unification Church]]. Deprogrammings occurred throughout the 1970s and 1980s that resulted in numerous lawsuits resulting in a national transition away from deprogramming and toward [[exit counseling]].<ref>Dominiek Coates, "The Significance and Purpose of the 'Anti-Cult Movement' in Facilitating Disaffiliation From a New Religious Movement: Resources for Self-construction or a Justificatory Account," ''International Journal for the Study of New Religions'' 3, no. 2 (2012): 213–244. p. 219.</ref> In 2010, [[Independent politician|independent]] Senator [[Nick Xenophon]] attempted to enact legislation against NRMs – though primarily against the [[Church of Scientology]] and their [[Tax exemption|tax-exempt]] status – similar to those in France. However, his efforts were unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Xenophon won't give up on Scientologists |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/xenophon-wont-give-up-on-scientologists/56q23tp9c |access-date=2022-07-26 |work=SBS News |language=en}}</ref>

Australia's main anti-cult organization is Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS), run by [[Exit-counselor|exit counselor]] Tore Klevjer.<ref>Sherryn Groch, "Why do smart people join cults? And how do they get out of them?," ''The Age'' (Melbourne), 17 July 2022.</ref> It was founded by Ros Hodgkins, David Richardson, and nineteen others in 1996.<ref>Dayle Latham, "Cult followers need help to escape: supporter," ''[[Illawarra Mercury]]'' ([[Wollongong|Wollongong, New South Wales]]), 17 November 2014.</ref><ref>Julie Huffer, "More tell of Sahaja yoga experiences," ''Hornsby Advocate'', 9 April 1997.</ref><ref name=":02">Interview with Ann Wason Moore, "Fear creates a recipe for exploitation," ''[[Gold Coast Bulletin|The Gold Coast Bulletin]]'' ([[Southport, Queensland]]), 6 June 2020.</ref> CIFS combats NRMs as well as [[lifestyle coach]]es and [[Multi-level marketing|multi-level marketing schemes]];<ref name=":02" /> ''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]'' wrote in 2017 that it also represents ex-NRM members.<ref>Kay Dibben, "Senator takes aim at cult coercion," ''[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]]'' ([[Adelaide]]), 5 February 2017.</ref> Other groups like Cult Counselling Australia (formed in 1991<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://cultconsulting.org/about-us |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=cultconsulting.org |language=en}}</ref>) exist in Australia to provide exit counseling and educational services.

=== Russia ===
{{See also|Center for Religious Studies in the name of Hieromartyr Irenaeus of Lyons|Alexander Dvorkin}}
In [[Russia]] anti-cultism appeared in the early 1990s since the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] and the [[1991 August Coup]]. Some Russian [[Protestantism|Protestants]] criticized foreign missionaries, sects, and new religious movements. They hoped that taking part in anti-cult declarations could demonstrate that they were not "sectarians."<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite journal|last1=Shterin|first1=Marat S.|last2=Richardson|first2=James T.|date=2000|title=Effects of the Western Anti-Cult Movement on Development of Laws Concerning Religion in Post-Communist Russia|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23921284|journal=Journal of Church and State|volume=42|issue=2|pages=247–271|doi=10.1093/jcs/42.2.247 |jstor=23921284 |issn=0021-969X|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Some scholars have shown that anti-cult movements, especially with support of the government, can provoke serious religious conflicts in Russian society.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Сергей Иваненко. О РЕЛИГИОВЕДЧЕСКИЕХ АСПЕКТАХ ИЗУЧЕНИЯ "АНТИКУЛЬТОВОГО ДВИЖЕНИЯ". А также о его воздействии на государственно-конфессиональные отношения в современной России |language=ru |trans-title=On Religional Aspects of Studying "Anticultural Traffic" and also about its impact on state-confessional relations in modern Russia |url=http://www.sclj.ru/news/detail.php?SECTION_ID=214&ELEMENT_ID=2546|access-date=2023-01-02|website=[[American Center for Law & Justice#Europe|Slavic Center for Law & Justice]] |first=Sergey |last=Ivanenko |date=August 17, 2009}}</ref> In 2008 the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs]] prepared a list of "extremist groups." At the top of the list were [[Islam]]ic groups outside of "traditional Islam" (which is supervised by the Russian government); next were "[[Modern paganism|Pagan cults]]."<ref>Andreĭ Soldatov and I. Borogan. ''The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia's Security State and The Enduring Legacy of the KGB.'' New York: PublicAffairs, 2010. 65–66.</ref> In 2009 the [[Ministry of Justice (Russia)|Russian Ministry of Justice]] set up a council called the Council of Experts Conducting State Religious Studies Expert Analysis. The new council listed 80 large sects which it considered potentially dangerous to Russian society and mentioned that there were thousands of smaller ones.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Large sects listed included [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], and what were called "[[Neo-charismatic movement|neo-Pentecostals]]."<ref>Paul Marshall, Lela Gilbert and Nina Shea. ''Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians.'' Ebook version. Thomas Nelson Inc., 2013.</ref>

=== China ===
{{Main|Persecution of Falun Gong|Antireligious campaigns in China|Heterodox teachings (Chinese law)}}

China's modern anti-cult movement began in the late 1990s with the development of [[qigong]] groups, primarily [[Falun Gong]]. Anti-cult campaigns in the late twentieth century and early twenty-first centuries were founded on "scientific rationality and civilization," according to [[Medical anthropology|medical anthropologist]] Nancy N. Chen.<ref>{{Cite journal | first = Nancy N. | last = Chen | title = ''Healing Sects and Anti-Cult Campaigns'' | journal = [[The China Quarterly]] | issue = 174 | year = 2003 | page = 508 | jstor = 20059006}}</ref> Chinese authorities claimed that by July 2001 that Falun Gong specifically was responsible for over 1,600 deaths through induced [[suicide]] by [[hanging]], [[self-immolation]], [[drowning]]s, among others and the [[murder]]s of practitioners' relatives.<ref>Calum Macleod, "City Life: Beijing – China bars the masses from its biggest ever anti-cult exhibition," ''[[The Independent]]'' (London), 18 July 2001.</ref> Chinese authorities adopted the negative term [[Heterodox teachings (Chinese law)|"xié jiào"]] ([[:zh:邪教|邪教]]) to refer to new religious movements. It is roughly translated by "evil cult," but the term dates as far back as the seventh century CE with various meanings.<ref>For more on use of the term "evil cult", see Maria Hsia Chang, ''Falun Gong: The End of Days'' (New Haven and London: [[Yale University Press]], 2004), 97–100.</ref>

About 10,000 Falun Gong protestors on 25 April 1999 demonstrated around [[Zhongnanhai]], the seat of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] and [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]], to recognize Falun Gong as a legitimate form of spirituality.<ref>Bryan Edelman and [[James T. Richardson]], "Imposed Limitations on Freedom of Religion in China and the Margin of Appreciation Doctrine: A Legal Analysis of the Crackdown on the Falun Gong and Other 'Evil Cults,'" ''[[Journal of Church and State]]'' 47, no. 2 (2005): 243–267. p. 243.</ref> In response, Beijing specifically labeled Falun Gong an illegal religious organization which violated the [[Constitution of the People's Republic of China|People's Republic of China's Constitution]] in May 1999.<ref>Edelman and Richardson, 251.</ref> On 22 July 1999, the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]] specifically banned Falun Gong.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ban of Falun Gong Is at People's Will |url=https://www.mfa.gov.cn/ce/ceus//eng/zt/ppflg/t36589.htm#:~:text=To%20maintain%20social%20stability%20and,to%20law,%20the%20spokesman%20said. |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=www.mfa.gov.cn}}</ref> On 30 October 1999, the Standing Committee enacted a law that required courts, police, and prosecutors to prosecute "cult" activity generally.<ref>"China issues anti-cult law to combat Falun Gong and other movements regime deems undesirable," ''International Law Update'' 5, no. 12 (1999).</ref>

=== Japan ===
{{See also|Unification Church|Aum Shinrikyo|National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales}}

A lawyer's organization called the [[National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales]] (NNLASS) was formed to combat the "spiritual sales" organized by the [[Unification Church]] and supposedly forced donations. According to NNLASS, the group received over 34,000 complaints about "spiritual sales" and forced donations by 2021 totaling to about 123.7 billion [[Japanese yen|yen]] ([[United States dollar|US$]]902 million).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-13 |title=Problems over money continue at Unification Church: lawyers |url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14668795 |access-date=2022-07-15 |work=[[The Asahi Shimbun]] |language=en}}</ref> According to Yoshihide Sakurai, Japanese courts originally would require religious groups to return large donations if the person never joined the group, but once the person joined the group, their "spiritual sale" was made completely within their own [[free will]] and should not be returned. However, lawyers argued that if the person was forced to make a donation, then they were not making it out of their free will and thus their donation or sale should be returned.{{r|sakurai|page=33}} Based on a 2006 [[Tokyo District Court]] decision, the circumstances of whether or not the Unification Church used illegal recruiting or donation soliciting tactics were to be determined on a case-by-case basis, which was upheld by a 2007 appeal.{{r|sakurai|page=33–34}}

In 1995, [[Aum Shinrikyo]], a Japanese [[new religious movement]], attacked a [[Tokyo subway sarin attack|Tokyo subway with sarin gas]], killing 14 people and injuring about 1,000. After this incident, mainstream Japanese society faced their "cult problem" directly.{{r|sakurai|page=30}} Various anti-cult groups – many of them local – emerged from the publicity of the "Aum Affair." One of which is the Japan De-Culting Council (日本脱カルト研究会) on 11 November 1995.<ref>{{Cite journal |author=Watanabe Manabu |title=Reactions to the Aum Affair: The Rise of the 'Anti-Cult' Movement in Japan |url=https://nirc.nanzan-u.ac.jp/journal/3/issue/21/article/53|access-date=2023-01-02 |journal=Bulletin of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture |volume=21 |year=1997 |pages=32–48}}</ref> It was founded by lawyers, psychologists, academics, and other interested parties like ex-[[New religious movement|NRM]] members.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baffelli|first1=Erica|last2=Reader|first2=Ian|date=2012|title=Editors' Introduction: Impact and Ramifications: The Aftermath of the Aum Affair in the Japanese Religious Context|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41495887|journal=Japanese Journal of Religious Studies|volume=39|issue=1|pages=1–28|jstor=41495887 |issn=0304-1042}}</ref> It changed its name to the {{ill|Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery|ja|日本脱カルト協会}} in April 2004.

In 1989, [[Tsutsumi Sakamoto]] was an anti-cult lawyer working on a civil case against Aum Shinrikyo. At approximately 3:00&nbsp;a.m. [[Japan Standard Time|JST]] ([[UTC+09:00|UTC+9:00]]), several members of Aum Shinrikyo entered Sakamoto's apartment in [[Yokohama]]. He, his wife, Satoko, and his 14-month-old son, Tatsuhiko, were all killed. In the aftermath of the Aum Affair in 1995, some Aum Shinrikyo members and one former member in September 1995 tipped off [[National Police Agency (Japan)|Japanese police]] about the general location of the bodies of the three victims, which were scattered to complicate search efforts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pollack |first=Andrew |date=1995-09-07 |title=Japanese Police Find Body of a Lawyer Believed Killed by Cult |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/07/world/japanese-police-find-body-of-a-lawyer-believed-killed-by-cult.html |access-date=2022-07-15 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 8 July 2022, [[Tetsuya Yamagami]] allegedly assassinated former Prime Minister of Japan [[Shinzo Abe]]. Upon his immediate arrest, Yamagami testified that he was driven by Abe's relationship with the Unification Church. Yamagami's mother made large donations to the Unification Church that bankrupted their family.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-15 |title=EXPLAINER: The Unification Church's ties to Japan's politics |url=https://apnews.com/article/shinzo-abe-japan-crime-tokyo-south-korea-4bac3b7b504b857bc4d2a8ff503b4b37 |access-date=2022-07-15 |work=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref> This incident brought renewed attention to the social issues related to cults in Japan, which include the questionable religious meddling in state politics, fraudulent fundraising in the name of religion, and the welfare of [[shūkyō nisei]] ([[religion and children|children of religious family]]).<ref>{{Citation |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/podcast/unification-church-kishida/ |first1=Shaun|last1=McKenna|first2=Kanako|last2=Takahara |title=Deep Dive Episode 139: The Church, the State and Kishida's headache |work=[[The Japan Times]] |date=7 December 2022 |access-date=21 January 2023}}</ref>