The Japanese government plans to launch an inquiry into alleged shady marketing practices by the former Unification Church by the end of this year. If it finds evidence that warrants disbanding the group, the government will promptly seek a court order to that effect.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio instructed Culture Minister Nagaoka Keiko to open the probe by using "the right to ask questions" under the Religious Corporations Act.

This came in response to a report issued on Monday from a Consumer Affairs Agency expert panel, calling on the government to conduct an inquiry, with an eye on seeking a court order to disband the group.

Kishida told a Lower House committee that there were civil trial cases in 2016 and 2017 in which the group was found liable for systematic unlawful acts.

Kishida also said the consultation line the government set up recently to deal with issues regarding the group, had received more than 1,700 calls as of September 30.

An investigation into the group will be conducted under a provision of the Religious Corporations Act, which grants authorities "the right to ask questions" of groups suspected of violating the law.

It has never been exercised before. The government will convene a meeting of experts next week to look into the conditions and criteria for exercising the right.