Shaima Khalil

Well, it's a significant development, really, regarding the secretive religious entity. And it stands accused of corruption and that so many people here in Japan blame for ruining their lives and the lives of their families and loved ones. Now, this decision made by the Tokyo District Court to dissolve the Unification Church comes after a government investigation that lasted for months.

Well, it's a significant development, really, regarding the secretive religious entity. And it stands accused of corruption and that so many people here in Japan blame for ruining their lives and the lives of their families and loved ones. Now, this decision made by the Tokyo District Court to dissolve the Unification Church comes after a government investigation that lasted for months.

And the disbanding means, one, that the church will lose its corporation status, so it will lose its right to get tax exemptions, but it will also have to liquidate all its assets. It can still operate in Japan, and we understand that it will likely be able to appeal that decision.

And the disbanding means, one, that the church will lose its corporation status, so it will lose its right to get tax exemptions, but it will also have to liquidate all its assets. It can still operate in Japan, and we understand that it will likely be able to appeal that decision.

But it comes after the interviewing of 200 people by officials from the Culture and Education Ministry and found that the church had coerced the followers into making huge donations, giving expensive gifts leading to the financial ruin. But the officials also found that the church manipulated followers interfering for their spiritual well-being.

But it comes after the interviewing of 200 people by officials from the Culture and Education Ministry and found that the church had coerced the followers into making huge donations, giving expensive gifts leading to the financial ruin. But the officials also found that the church manipulated followers interfering for their spiritual well-being.

That's right. The assassination of Shinzo Abe shocked the nation really in 2022 when the Unification Church has come under fire and under intense scrutiny in that same year after the alleged assassin had confessed that he had deep grievances against the late Mr. Abe for his connections.

That's right. The assassination of Shinzo Abe shocked the nation really in 2022 when the Unification Church has come under fire and under intense scrutiny in that same year after the alleged assassin had confessed that he had deep grievances against the late Mr. Abe for his connections.

to a church that he blamed for the bankruptcy of his family, an investigation found that nearly half of the lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had connection with this controversial sect. And this involvement and the extent of the influence varied from attending church events, receiving donations from the church and or election support.

to a church that he blamed for the bankruptcy of his family, an investigation found that nearly half of the lawmakers in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had connection with this controversial sect. And this involvement and the extent of the influence varied from attending church events, receiving donations from the church and or election support.

And that really has cost the Liberal Democratic Party money. dearly politics wise, because these revelations shocked the people of Japan. And they have told us that it's one of the big reasons people have lost their faith in the government and in politics, which is something that the ruling party is still trying to recover from.

And that really has cost the Liberal Democratic Party money. dearly politics wise, because these revelations shocked the people of Japan. And they have told us that it's one of the big reasons people have lost their faith in the government and in politics, which is something that the ruling party is still trying to recover from.

In der opening scene of her documentary Black Box Diaries, Shiori is speaking to the camera a few days before she holds a press conference. Something, she tells me, her family was against.

In der opening scene of her documentary Black Box Diaries, Shiori is speaking to the camera a few days before she holds a press conference. Something, she tells me, her family was against.

Black Box Diaries, which is Shiori's directorial debut, is based on her memoir. It follows the young reporter's quest for justice in a rape criminal case she filed in 2015 against well-known journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi, who also had a close relationship with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as his biographer.

Black Box Diaries, which is Shiori's directorial debut, is based on her memoir. It follows the young reporter's quest for justice in a rape criminal case she filed in 2015 against well-known journalist Noriyuki Yamaguchi, who also had a close relationship with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as his biographer.

Shiori decide to go public after the police and the prosecutors dismiss her allegations for lack of evidence. In 2019, she won a civil case against Yamaguchi, who's always denied the allegations. In doing so, Shiori became the symbol of the MeToo movement in Japan.

Shiori decide to go public after the police and the prosecutors dismiss her allegations for lack of evidence. In 2019, she won a civil case against Yamaguchi, who's always denied the allegations. In doing so, Shiori became the symbol of the MeToo movement in Japan.

The film has been screened in dozens of countries and is now in the running for Best Documentary Feature Film at this year's Academy Awards. Shiori is the first Japanese director to be nominated in this category.

The film has been screened in dozens of countries and is now in the running for Best Documentary Feature Film at this year's Academy Awards. Shiori is the first Japanese director to be nominated in this category.