Editing Providence (religious movement) (section)

=== Japan ===
Providence became active in Japan around 1985<ref name="tamaki" /> or 1987.<ref name="lawyers_eye_cult" /> In 2006 the national newspaper ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' reported that Providence is "causing serious social problems in Japan", labeling it as a "cult" and "sect". It also reported that the organization was pressuring members to live together, make regular donations, marry within the organization, and follow the strict guidance of its founder.<ref name="asahi-cult-nihon-2000" />{{efn|name="another-problem-cult"
|1=''Asahi Shimbun''′s article on July 27, 2006 was followed up by similar coverage in this editorial, issued bilingually: {{cite news
| url          = http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200608190106.html
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083459/http://www.asyura2.com/0601/cult3/msg/326.html
| script-title = ja:教団のワナにはまるな
| trans-title  = Don't get caught in the religious group's trap
| language     = en, ja
| work         = [[Asahi Shimbun]]
| date         = August 18, 2006
| archive-date  = October 6, 2014
| access-date   = September 10, 2015
| quote        = The gimmicks the sect uses to increase its membership are nothing new. At university campuses, the sect's recruiters first approach students under the guise of a sports or cultural circle. After building close personal relationships with these students, the members reveal the religious nature of their group and start indoctrinating them. The favorite targets are serious-minded young people who feel alienated from their families and schools and wish to change their lives.
}}}}

It has been reported that Providence, commonly referred to as Setsuri in Japan, hides their religious affiliation at a Japanese university and solicited students as [[Student society|cultural clubs]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=摂理＝キリスト教福音宣教会 SDGsで大学生を勧誘する手法で信者が16年前の3倍｜検証 令和の新興宗教 |url=https://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/lifex/309980 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=日刊ゲンダイDIGITAL|date=August 19, 2022 }}</ref> specifically targeting students pursuing medical or legal professions and those who are interested in environmental issues, [[Sustainable Development Goals|sustainable development goals]] and international contributions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=國府田英之 |date=2021-09-15 |title=社会問題化した宗教団体「摂理」がコロナ禍で有名大学で勧誘を活発化 SNSを駆使した巧妙な手口〈dot.〉 |url=https://dot.asahi.com/dot/2021091300043.html |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=AERA dot. (アエラドット)}}</ref> The movement is also known to recruit tall, fair-skinned and glamorous university students. It uses social media and student/workplace mentorship networking events to draw new members. It was estimated that the movement has increased its membership from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 followers in Japan between 2006 and 2022.<ref name=":5" />

The group's church usually consisted of a single apartment room, where their religious studies occurred.<ref name="lawyers_eye_cult" /> Sometimes the church was where some of the faithful cohabited. There were some 40 such churches across Japanese cities as of 2006.{{sfnp|Sakurai|2007b|p=4}}<ref name="asahi-cult-nihon-2000" /> Members as students working part-time jobs were expected to contribute a minimum of {{JPY|1000|link=yes}} at weekly church service, and as full-salaried wage-earners, monthly [[tithe]]s and bonus-time donations.<ref name="donation-annual-1oku">{{Cite news
| script-title = ja:「摂理」献金年間１億円超、教祖の逃亡資金にも
| trans-title  = Providence contributions exceed 100 million yen, some funds used to assist leader's flight
| language     = ja
| journal      = Asahi Shimbun
| date         = July 31, 2006
| url          = http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0731/OSK200607310029.html
| access-date   = May 8, 2014
}}{{dead link|date=July 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [http://religion.sakura.ne.jp/religion/ms/ms_doc_asahi060731b.htm Alt URL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304141816/http://religion.sakura.ne.jp/religion/ms/ms_doc_asahi060731b.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> Believers were instructed to live frugally on cheap food and never indulge in alcohol.<ref name="donation-annual-1oku" /> They were forbidden from dating, but at a suitable time married within the group in mass ceremonies.<ref name="asahi-cult-nihon-2000" />{{efn|name="another-problem-cult"}}

Although the [[Supreme Court of Japan]] in 1996 ruled [[Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church]] was invalid, more than 300 Japanese members of Providence were wed in six [[Collective wedding|mass ceremonies]] held between 1996 and 2006 modeled on the UC. While being wanted on rape charges, Jung at a July 2003 mass wedding urged the couples via a big-screen Internet connection to have babies to increase the number of Providence members.<ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/08/Japan-court-rules-marriage-invalid/8165831528000/
| title        = Japan court rules marriage invalid – UPI Archives
| publisher    = Upi.com
| date         = May 8, 1996
| access-date   = September 12, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160119041105/http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/08/Japan-court-rules-marriage-invalid/8165831528000/
| archive-date = January 19, 2016
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
| title       = Guru said to have raped prospective brides before mass weddings
| date       = August 3, 2006
| url       = http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200608030075.html
| access-date       = September 11, 2015
}}</ref>

In 2007, Japanese Police raided eight Providence facilities in [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]] on suspicion that a senior member illegally obtained residence status. They also searched a facility in the city's [[Chūō-ku, Chiba|Chuo Ward]].<ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/01/20/news/setsuri-cult-facilities-raided-over-immigration-suspicions/
| title        = Setsuri cult facilities raided over immigration suspicions
| work=[[The Japan Times]]
| date         = January 20, 2007
| access-date   = December 18, 2013
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219022952/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2007/01/20/news/setsuri-cult-facilities-raided-over-immigration-suspicions/
| archive-date = December 19, 2013
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> The senior member, a Korean, was arrested for overstaying her visa.  It was learned that Providence recruited "high class, high income" men and selected women for "style and looks".<ref>{{Cite news
| script-title = ja:カルトSEX教団に強制捜査...教祖にせっせと女性貢ぐ
| trans-title  = Cultic sex religious group raided by investigators.. women assiduously feed money to founder
| language     = ja
| date         = January 19, 2007
| url          = http://www.zakzak.co.jp/top/2007_01/t2007011901.html
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20070226172509/http://www.zakzak.co.jp/top/2007_01/t2007011901.html
| archive-date  = February 26, 2007
| access-date   = September 1, 2015
}}</ref>

As of 2008, it has been said that over 100 women have fallen victim of Jung's sexual transgressions in Japan alone.<ref name="tamaki" />