Japan's education and culture ministry has requested a court order to remove the religious corporation status of a group formerly known as the Unification Church.

The ministry filed the request at the Tokyo District Court on Friday, saying the group's practices are illegal and significantly harmful to public welfare.

The ministry interviewed more than 170 people connected to the organization. Nearly 5,000 pieces of evidence were submitted to the court.

Education and Culture Minister Moriyama Masahito told reporters on Thursday that collecting donations and soliciting new members were part of the group's operations. He said the group's practices violated civil law, and caused significant damage.

This is the third case for an administrative body to seek the dissolution of a religious group for violating the law. Previous cases included the Aum Shinrikyo cult in 1995.

The latest request is the first case based on violation of civil law. The court will hear arguments from the ministry and the group before making a decision on the dissolution order.

If the court order is granted, the group would lose its religious corporation status which allows tax benefits, but would still be able to conduct religious activities.

Officials of the group said on Thursday that they are confident they do not deserve a dissolution order.