外国特派員協会での記者会見 会見文（日英対訳）

本日、外国特派員協会の招請で開催された、記者会見の会見文を以下に掲載いたします。

 

2022年7月8日，安倍晋三元首相が凶弾に倒れられました。日本国内ではもちろんのこと，世界中でご生前の業績が称えられ、世界の指導者・各国首脳からも惜しまれながら、たくさんの追悼の言葉が寄せられました。心から元首相のご冥福をお祈りいたします。

 

On July 8, 2022, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a shooter. Following this tragedy, Mr. Abe’s achievements during his life have been honored in Japan, as well as throughout the world, and many messages of condolence have been received from world leaders and heads of state. We offer our deepest condolences on the passing of the former Prime Minister.

 

犯人とされる容疑者が，当法人家庭連合への恨みを動機として行動に出たという報道に触れ、私どももとても心重く受けとめております。社会の皆様にも様々にお騒がせしていることに、深くお詫び申し上げます。

 

We also take this tragedy very seriously after hearing reports that the suspect, who is believed to be the shooter, acted on a grudge against FFWPU. We would like to express our deepest regret for all the concern this incident has caused to our society.

 

未だ容疑者の犯行に及んだ動機の詳細に関しては捜査本部からも正式に発表されておらず、私どもも、現在なお、捜査本部からの要請を受けて全面的に協力させていただいているところであります。

 

Details of the motive for the suspect’s crime have yet to be officially announced by the investigation headquarters, and currently we are fully cooperating with the requests of the investigation headquarters.

 

安倍元首相の国葬が9月27日と発表されておりますので，当法人もその日に向け喪に服し、全ての教会員がご冥福をお祈りすると共に、神様の真の愛による暴力のない世界平和が実現するよう、祈りと精誠を捧げる期間を過ごしております。

 

As it has been announced that former Prime Minister Abe’s state funeral will be held on September 27, FFWPU will observe a time of mourning during the weeks leading up to this day, with all its members praying for Mr. Abe’s peaceful transition while spending this time in prayer and devotion to bring about a world of peace, free from violence, through God’s true love.

 

さて、安倍元首相が凶弾に倒れられた直後から、容疑者の犯行動機が当法人の信者である母親の献金によるものであるとの確定もしない情報から、昨今の当法人に対する過剰なメディア報道によって、当法人の信徒から様々な被害が報告されております。

 

Immediately after former Prime Minister Abe was shot and killed by the shooter, we have received numerous reports from FFWPU members who have suffered harm by the latest news report that excessively highlight FFWPU based on unverified information that the suspect’s motive for the crime was due to the donations made by his mother.

 

全国の教会に「殺すぞ」と叫ぶ脅しや脅迫電話、街宣車での大音量による罵声、そして集会妨害、一般信徒の自宅にまで，夜に朝に押しかけてのメディアからの過剰取材、さらには、信徒の子供たちが学校やサークルで受けるいじめによる登校拒否、あるいは信仰を理由に会社を辞めるよう追い詰められたり、家庭内では離婚状を突き付けられた家庭もあります。

 

Our churches in Japan have been subject to death threats and threatening phone calls, abusive language blasting out of sound trucks, and obstruction of assemblies, with some members of the media harassing ordinary members by going to their homes in the morning and night for interviews, which has resulted in the members’ children refusing to go to school because of the bullying they face at school or during extracurricular activities, members being forced to resign from their company because of their faith, and even some being forced to sign divorce papers at home.

 

法人の責任ある者として、喪に服する期間としてこのまま黙することが良き選択なのか、呻吟する期間を過ごして参りましたが、昨今の報道の中には見過ごすことのできない酷い内容も多々あり、本日の会見の場を持たせていただくこととしました。

 

As a person responsible for this religious corporation, I have spent this time wrestling with the idea of whether it was the right choice to remain silent in honor of this time of mourning. However, I have decided to hold a press conference today as there have been a number of terrible misrepresentations made in some of the recent reports that can no longer be ignored.

 

振り返って、私どもの法人にとって、13年前の2009年が大きな分岐点でした。一部信徒の経済活動が刑事事件として検挙され、それに関して当法人の地方施設等に警察の家宅捜索が入るという事態となり、当時の当法人会長が世間を騒がせた道義的責任を取って辞任いたしました。

 

Looking back 13 years ago, 2009 was a major turning point for FFWPU. The economic activities of some of our members were prosecuted as criminal cases, and some of our local facilities and other properties were raided by the police in relation to these investigations. The president of FFWPU at that time took moral responsibility for the occurrence of these incidents and resigned.

 

それ以降、信者が経営する会社での物販活動のあり方に対する基本的な指導、財産に比しての高額な献金が行われないよう徹底した努力を重ね、今日にいたっております。

 

Since then, we have provided basic guidelines on how sales activities should be conducted at company’s managed by members and have made concerted efforts to this day to ensure that no large donations are made in proportion to a person’s assets.

 

一方で民事訴訟に関しては、着実に数が減ってきているとはいえ、ゼロになったわけではありません。残念ながら、信仰が薄れることによって一度捧げた献金を返してほしいと要請してくるケースもございます。こうした要請には、個別に適切に対応を重ねて参りました。

 

Meanwhile, the number of civil lawsuits against FFWPU have steadily decreased but have not completely ceased as of yet. Unfortunately, there are cases in which people have requested the return of a donation they once made after experiencing a decline in their faith. We have responded appropriately to these requests on a case-by-case basis.

 

弁護士団体は「相談」のあった当法人にまつわる案件の全てを「被害」と断定して集計発表していますが、その内容は実に不正確であり、不公正です。

 

We are aware that a lawyers’ association has announced certain statistics where they conclusively declared that all cases involving FFWPU for which they were “consulted” were cases involving “damages” but the details they submit are grossly inaccurate and unfair.

 

こちらの図をご覧ください。裁判においては1998年においては係争中の案件が78件ありましたが、2022年の訴訟係属中の件数は5件です。また，通知書件数は、この10年で十分の一に減りました。もちろん、各事案には丁寧に対応させて頂いております。

 

Let me draw your attention to this diagram.There were 78 legal disuputes in 1998 alone, but there are only 5 ongoing litigation cases in 2022. In addition, the number of notice letters has also decreased to one-tenth in the past decade. We will, of course, address each case with utmost care and attention.

 

各報道機関は全国霊感商法対策弁護士連絡会が発表する「被害」とする数字が正しいか否かぜひ検証して頂きたいと願っております。それが社会的責任を持つ報道機関の責務ではないでしょうか。

 

We hope that each press organization takes the steps to verify whether the alleged number of cases involving “damages” as announced by the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales are in fact correct. We believe that is the duty of any socially responsible press organization.

 

さらに、一部メディアでは30年以上前にレッテルを張った「霊感商法」なるものが、今も変わらず行われていると発信し続けています。しかしながら、いわゆる「霊感商法」なるものを、過去においても、現在も当法人が行ったことはありませんし、信徒らに対しては、特に2009年以降、当法人は、社会的、，法的に問題と指摘される行為をしないよう、コンプライアンスの徹底に努めております。

 

Furthermore, some media outlets continue to report that the so-called “spiritual sales” that was labeled more than 30 years ago is even now being conducted. However, FFWPU has never engaged in any such “spiritual sales” in the past or even now, and since 2009, FFWPU has made every effort to ensure compliance among its members to ensure that they do not engage in any conduct that may be considered socially or legally problematic.

 

そもそも，既に報じられていますように、安倍政権時代の2018年に、消費者契約法の改正で霊感商法の言葉も盛り込まれ、霊感商法と認定されたものはいつでも取り消すことができるようになっています。しかしながら、上記コンプライアンスの徹底により「霊感商法」と称される類のものは当法人の信徒において行われていませんし、被害報告もありません。

 

As has already been reported, in 2018, during the Abe administration, the revision of the Consumer Contract Act incorporated the phrase ‘spiritual sales’, and any transaction that is found to constitute spiritual sales can be revoked at any time. However, with the aforementioned strict enforcement of the compliance, none of our members have engaged in anything close to “spiritual sales” and there have been no reports of any damages.

 

2014年以降、当法人は消費者センターから、当法人に関する何らかの相談があった場合には連絡をもらうようにしていましたが、記録にあるこの年以降においては消費者センターから相談を受けたとの連絡は一件もありません。

 

Since 2014, FFWPU has agreed to be contacted by the Consumer Center if any consultation is made in relation to FFWPU, but since that year on record, we have not had a single case of contact from the Consumer Center for any consultation that it received.

 

当法人の名称変更に対しても、歪（ゆが）んだ憶測や悪意に基づきメディア報道がなされています。「悪いイメージを隠すために名称変更をした」と、いわば〝正体隠し〟の手段として名称変更したかのように報じられています。

 

Media coverage of the name change to FFWPU is based on distorted speculation and malicious intentions. The media has reported as if our corporation’s name was changed as a means to “conceal one’s identity” saying that “the name of the corporation was changed to hide its bad image”.

 

これに関しては、すでに私たちの見解を日本のメディア関係者にはお伝えしましたが、残念ながらマスコミはその一部だけを切り取り、名称変更に至る事実経緯及び当法人の意向を正しく報道することはありませんでした。

 

In this regard, we have already communicated our views to Japanese media officials, but unfortunately the media outlets have only redacted certain parts of their report and have not property reported on the factual background and FFWPU’s intentions that led to the name change.

 

もとより文鮮明総裁が1954年に「世界基督教統一神霊協会」を創設された当初より、この看板を下ろすことができる日が来ることを願い、当時からこれを予言しておられました。

 

Since founding the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC) in 1954, Rev. Sun Myung Moon had hoped that the day would come when he would be able to take down the HSA-UWC sign and had talked about doing so since that time.

 

文師はすべての宗教が和合統一できるように超宗教の活動に投入し続けて来られ、それ故に会の名称も教会の「教」ではなく協力の「協」を使用して出発致しました。

 

Rev. Moon had unceasingly invested in interreligious activities in the hopes of bringing about the harmonious unification of all religions and for this purpose, launched this religion by using the Chinese character meaning “cooperation” in the name of this corporation rather than the character meaning “church.”

 

そして1997年にいよいよその時を迎え、文師は全世界的に「世界平和統一家庭連合」の名称を使用するように願われ、全世界の教会に向けてメッセージを発せられました。それを受けて、世界の統一教会は一斉に名称を変更致しました。

 

Then, with the ushering of such era in 1997, Rev. Moon expressed his desire to globally use the name “Family Federation for World Peace and Unification” and announced his message to all the churches worldwide. In response, the Unification Churches worldwide all at this time changed the name of their organizations.

 

その時以来、日本においても担当省庁に名称変更の相談を重ね、2015年になって正規の手続きに従って名称変更に係る規則変更の認証申請を行い、2015年8月26日に正式に認証を受けて名称を変更するに至りました。

 

Since then, we consulted with the relevant ministries and agencies in Japan regarding our intention to change the name of this corporation, and in 2015, we applied for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation in relation to the name change in accordance with the formal procedures, and on August 26, 2015, with the receipt of the official certification, the name of this religious corporation was officially changed to FFWPU.

 

　この名称変更の当法人規則認証に関する政治的圧力や介入があったかのような一方的な憶測報道がなされていますが、事実ではありません。

 

There has been one-sided speculative reporting as if there was political pressure or intervention in relation to the certification of FFWPU’s articles of incorporation for this name change, but this is not true.

 

確かに、当初、当法人が名称変更の相談を持ち掛けた当時の文化庁（以下，「主務官庁」といいます。）は、名称変更に難色を示し、規則変更認証申請をしないよう当法人を説得してきました。

 

Indeed, at first, when we approached the then Agency for Cultural Affairs (hereinafter referred to as “the competent authority”) for consultation on the name change, the competent authority showed reluctance to the name change and advised us not to apply for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation.

 

しかしながら、宗教法人がいかなる名称を名乗るかは「信教の自由」により憲法上保障されており、法律上、宗教法人の名称変更に係る規則変更認証は、法律の定める形式的要件と手続きを踏めば、変更しようとする事項が法令に反するなどの例外的な事由がない限り、主務官庁はこれを認証すべき義務を負わされています。

 

However, as the “freedom of religion” guaranteed under the Japanese constitution allows a religious corporation to use whatever name it chooses, absent any extraordinary reason, such as the matter to be changed would go against the law, the competent authority has the legal obligation to certify an application for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation in relation to changing the name of a religious corporation once the formal requirements and procedures stipulated by law are satisfied.

 

したがって、仮に当法人が形式的要件を充足する規則変更認証申請書を提出すれば、主務官庁としてはこれを認証すべき義務を負わされていますので、これを認証する外ありませんでした。

 

Therefore, in the case FFWPU submits an application for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation that satisfies the formal requirements, the competent authority is obliged to certify it, and would have no choice but to certify that application.

 

しかしながら、当法人は、主務官庁を相手に紛争を起こすことを避けるべきと判断し、この時は引き下がりました。

 

However, as we determined that it would be best to avoid raising a dispute with the competent authority, we did not pursue an application at that time.

 

当法人は、その後何度も主務官庁に名称変更の相談を重ねましたが、同庁の対応が変わらなかったため、2015年に提出の際には当法人は、「主務官庁が規則変更認証申請を拒絶する以上、訴訟もやむを得ない」と決意し、別紙の法律専門家による意見書（要旨）を添えてその旨主務官庁に意思表示をしました。

 

After that, we repeatedly consulted with the competent authority about changing the corporation’s name, but the response of the competent authority did not change. As such, In 2015, we concluded that “litigation would be unavoidable as long as the competent authority refuses the application for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation,” and indicated our intent to that effect to the competent authority by sending the attached Written Opinion (summary) prepared by our attorneys.

 

これを受けて、主務官庁は、当法人の名称変更に係る規則変更認証申請を受理し、認証となりました。以上が、事実であり、本件認証は純粋な法律問題として適法に処理されたものであり、そこには何らの政治的介入や不正はありません。

 

As a result, the application for certification for the alteration of the articles of incorporation in relation to the change of the corporation’s name was accepted and certified. The above summarizes the facts in this case which shows that the certification was duly processed purely as a legal issue and did not involve any form of political intervention or corruption.

 

なお、担当省庁には事前相談の段階で、名称を変更しても一年間は「世界平和統一家庭連合」の名称と共に「旧世界基督教統一神霊協会」いわゆる旧統一教会の名称を併記して、社会に広く周知することをお伝えし、実際にこれを実行致しました。

 

At the preliminary consultation stage, we informed the relevant ministries and agencies that even if the corporation’s name is changed, we would state the name “Family Federation for World Peace and Unification” alongside the phrase “formerly known as the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity”, being the name of the so-called former Unification Church, for one year to make the change widely known to society, which has been in fact implemented in such a way.

 

したがって、一部のマスコミが述べる〝世間の批判をかわすために〟いわば正体隠しとして名称を変えたかのように批判することは、事実無根の的外れな憶測であり、決めつけにすぎません。

 

Therefore, to criticize that we had changed the name of the corporation to conceal its identity, in other words, “to avoid public criticism” as stated by some of the media outlets, is nothing more than groundless speculation based on prejudice.

 

また、かつて信徒らが自主的に運営する受講施設において、一部信徒らが教会名を事前に伝えていなかった事例があり、それを正体隠し伝道であると指摘されましたので、2009年以降、当初から教会名を名乗るよう指導を徹底して改善を図って参りました。今では所属信徒らも強く自覚して取り組んでおります。

 

There was a case in the past where some members did not disclose the name of the church in advance at certain training facilities operated independently by such members. As we were advised that such practices would constitute covert missionary work, we have endeavored to improve such practices since 2009 by providing guidance to disclose the name of the church at the onset. Members of the Federation are now strongly aware of these guidelines when engaging in activities.

 

正体を隠しての伝道というレッテル張りは多くの友好団体にまで波及し、全ての友好団体が旧統一教会の伝道のためのダミー団体であるかのように強引に結び付け、今も批判の対象とされています。

 

The effects of labeling activities as being covert missionary work has even spread to many of our affiliated organizations, with all of these affiliated organizations being unreasonably portrayed as being a front organization for missionary work of the former Unification Church and even now being made a target of criticism.

 

すべての友好団体は、当法人の宗教活動と異なる明確なミッション・ビジョンを掲げて活動しており、それぞれの友好団体がその目的を共に志す国内外の指導者の皆様と共に、世界規模の平和構築に向けて、独立した活動を展開しております。そのような理念に多くの社会の指導者の皆様も賛同されてきました。

 

All of these affiliated organizations engage in activities under a clear mission and vision that are distinct from the religious activities of FFWPU, and each of these affiliated organizations engages in independent activities to build peace on a global scale with leaders from Japan and abroad who share the same goals as those of the respective organizations.

 

各友好団体のその活動の歴史と今日の実績を見れば、その目的が一宗教団体の会員や資金獲得等の為ではないことが、良識ある皆様にはおのずと判断がつくことかと思います。

 

By observing the past activities and current achievements of these organizations, any person with a conscience would naturally reach the conclusion that the purpose of these organizations is not in gaining members or acquiring funds for one particular religious organization.

 

家庭連合の会員が奉仕精神に基づいてボランティア活動したら、それも会員獲得のためであると決めつけ、公共機関に寄付をしたらそれも怪しい寄付であるとレッテルを張るなど、横暴なメディア報道がエスカレートしており、まさにヘイトスピーチ、人権侵害と言わざるを得ません。

 

There is an escalation of high-handed media coverage that conclusively portray volunteer activities conducted in the spirit of service by FFWPU members as activities to gain members, or labeling any donations made to public organizations as suspicious donations. This indeed constitutes a hate speech and is a violation of human rights.

 

家庭連合の会員も日本の国民として、一般社会で働き、税金を払い、法を順守して、社会の一員として、一人の人間として社会的責任を果たして生きています。

 

FFWPU members live their lives as citizens of Japan by working in society, paying taxes, obeying the law, and fulfilling their social responsibilities as a member of society and as a unique human being.

 

心無いメディアのフェイクニュース、暴言が、宗教的差別を助長するヘイトスピーチとして，個人の人権を傷つけ、強いては信教の自由を侵害していることを強く訴えたいと思います。

 

We strongly condemn the fake news and abusive language disseminated by a heartless media, which as hate speech, encourages religious discrimination, undermines the rights of individuals and, if anything, violates people’s freedom of religion.

 

批判は若い青年男女の結婚にまで及びます。「好きでもない人と無理やり結婚させられる」と宗教二世問題とのくくりで批判が拡大されています。それも実態とは大きく異なります。

 

Criticism has also extended to the marriages of young men and women. By saying that a person is “forced to marry someone he/she doesn’t like”, the scope of criticism has been expanded to issues involving second-generations of religions. Such criticism is also vastly different from reality.

 

文鮮明総裁が逝去されて以降、青年男女の結婚は父母や先輩の紹介で出会いの場が準備され、一定のお付き合いの時間を経て互いの同意のもとに祝福結婚式に臨んでいます。祝福結婚が男女の意に反して強制されることは絶対にありません。

 

After Rev. Moon passed away, young men and women who wish to marry are introduced to each other through their parents or colleagues and, after a certain amount of dating, participate in the marriage blessing ceremony upon mutual consent. No man or woman is ever forced against his or her will to participate in the marriage blessing ceremony.

 

かつては尊敬する文鮮明総裁ご夫妻に永遠のパートナーの紹介を受けておりましたが、この時も祝福結婚への参加者は、自ら望んでパートナーの紹介を受けることを希望していました。そして、現在はその祝福結婚のパートナーとの出会いも、大きく変わっています。是非、当法人のHPをご確認ください。

 

In the past, a person was introduced to his or her enteral partner by the esteemed Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Even then, participants of the marriage blessing ceremony had desired on their own volition to receive such an introduction to their partner. Now, the way in which people meet their partner in the marriage blessing has greatly changed. Please visit FFWPU’s official homepage for more information.

 

メディアでは元教会員ばかりの話が紹介されますが、元教会員の否定的な言葉だけをとりあげ、信仰生活を通して自らの研鑽に努める現役信者の肯定的な言葉には一切耳を貸さないのはなぜなのでしょうか？

 

Although media outlets only introduce the stories of former members and report on the negative statements made by such former members, I must ask why no effort is made by the same media outlets to listen to the positive statements made by active members who strive to improve themselves through a life of faith.

 

そもそも、家庭連合の祝福結婚式に参加して結婚手続きをされたカップルの離婚率は、残念ながら皆無ではありませんが２%以下であり、多くのカップルは幸福・円満に過ごしております。今日の日本の離婚率35%に比較したら圧倒的に少ないことがわかります。

 

To begin with, the divorce rate of couples who attended FFWPU’s marriage blessing ceremony and registered their marriage is, although unfortunately not zero, less than 2% and many of these couples are currently enjoying a happy and wholesome life. You can see that this is overwhelmingly lower compared to the 35% divorce rate in Japan today.

 

当法人の信者はかつて、拉致監禁・脱会強要という違法な人権侵害の被害に遭って来ました。信仰生活をしている信者を無理やり拉致し監禁したのです。その数は1966年以降、総計4300件を超えており、中には12年5カ月監禁され続けて逃げ出してきたケースもあれば、監禁場所での自殺者もでています。また，多くの被害者は今日でもPTSDを発症し、日常生活に苦悩を抱えています。

 

FFWPU members were once victimized by illegal human rights violations such as abductions, confinement and forced religious de-conversion. Members who led a life of faith were forcibly abducted and confined against their will. The total number of such cases has exceeded 4,300 since 1966, in one case a person was imprisoned for 12 years and five months before escaping, while others have committed suicide in confinement. In addition, many victims have developed PTSD and are still suffering from its effects in their daily lives.

 

この問題は既に2014年に国連「自由権規約人権委員会」で取り上げられ、日本政府に対する勧告がなされています。また，アメリカの国務省が信教の自由に関する世界各国の状況をまとめた「国際宗教自由報告書」にも、この問題が何度も取り上げられています。

 

This issue was already addressed in 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Committee, and a recommendation has been made to the Japanese government. The issue has also been mentioned many times in the International Report on Religious Freedom drawn up by the U.S. State Department which summarizes the status of religious freedom worldwide in each country.

 

来たる８月１２日、韓国ソウルにおきまして、世界指導者及び宗教指導者が集い「Summit 2022 & Leadership Conference」が開催されます。宗教の自由と普遍的な人権に焦点をあてて、当法人が被った拉致監禁被害についても議題となる予定です。

 

Come this August 12, the “Summit 2022 & Leadership Conference” will be held in Seoul, Korea. The Conference will focus on religious freedom and universal human rights and discuss the serious harm caused by the abduction and confinement of FFWPU members.

 

今日の異常な宗教迫害ともいえる偏向報道がきっかけとなってヘイト感情が誘発され，当法人信者に対して身体的危害が加えられたり、暴力行為による新たな被害が発生することを真剣に危惧するものです。

 

We are seriously concerned that the recent biased news coverage, which represents an abnormal form of religious persecution today, will trigger hateful sentiments and cause physical harm to FFWPU members or may lead to additional harm caused by violent acts.

 

一部メデイアは，家庭連合は「オウム真理教と同じ」、「暴力団と同じ」と犯罪集団のように報道して、視聴者の不安や恐怖、偏見を煽っています。しかし、いうまでもなく当法人が殺人や暴力を実行・助長したという事実・事件は皆無であります。

 

A number of media outlets are fueling anxiety, fear and prejudice in the audience by portraying FFWPU as being a criminal group saying that it is “the same as Aum Shinrikyo” or “the same as organized crime.” However, needless to say, there are no facts or incidents in which FFWPU has committed or encouraged murder or violence.

 

既に何度かメディアの皆様にお願いしたことですが、報道に際しては、正確・公正・客観的な取り扱いのうえ、事実に反する内容、憶測に基づいた内容を報道することのないように、重ねて要請いたします。

 

As we have already asked the media on several occasions, we would like to reiterate our request for accurate, fair and objective treatment in the media’s reporting, and for the media to refrain from reporting anything that is contrary to the facts or based on speculation.

 

以上

 

※一部会見での通訳者の英訳と違う箇所がございます