Japan's education and culture minister says the government will seek a court order to remove the religious corporation status of the group, formerly known as the Unification Church. The minister says the decision was made after a meeting with an advisory panel.

Education and Culture Minister Moriyama Masahito says, "The group caused anxiety and confusion to many people through donations and sales of goods. They forced many people, including their relatives, to make sacrifices financially and mentally. They prevented them from living peaceful and prosperous lives."

Moriyama told reporters that the advisory panel unanimously approved the ministry's request to apply to dissolve the group.

The ministry interviewed more than 170 people connected to the organization and collected nearly 5,000 pieces of evidence.

The minister says that they determined the damage caused by the group dates back to at least 1980, and that the courts found the total damage was at least 2.2 billion yen, or about 15 million dollars.

Based on its investigation, the ministry concluded the group's actions were illegal and significantly harmful to public welfare.

If the court order is granted, the organization would lose its tax exempt status, but would still be allowed to conduct religious activities. The group, on the other hand, says its practices do not meet the criteria for a court order.

The ministry can apply for the order as early as Friday.