While the group can still appeal to the Supreme Court, the order by the Tokyo High Court will take immediate effect, with the controversial organisation losing its status as a religious corporation with its associated tax advantages and liquidation procedures to begin.

Under Japan’s legal system, authorities can ask courts to order a dissolution if a religious corporation “commits an act that is clearly found to harm public welfare substantially”.

The government argued that the group’s tactics, which included approaching individuals without disclosing its identity and soliciting large donations, constituted violations of civil law.

It filed a dissolution request in October 2023 on the grounds that these practices continued nationwide over a long period, resulting in numerous victims.