An advisory panel of Japan's culture ministry has unanimously approved the classification of the group formerly known as the Unification Church as a designated religious corporation to gain a clearer understanding of the status of its assets.

The group, currently called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, is accused of soliciting large donations from its followers and engaging in dubious sales practices.

The 15-member panel on religious corporations met behind closed doors on Wednesday, with culture minister Moriyama Masahito in attendance. The panel consists of academics and officials of religious organizations.

Moriyama said at the start of the meeting that the government wished to hear the views of the panel on classifying the former Unification Church as a designated religious corporation, a category that allows for stricter monitoring of assets.

He asked the council to carefully consider aspects such as religious freedom, due process and whether the measure was appropriate.

The ministry said after the meeting that the panel considered the potentially large number of victims when making its decision. It pointed out the large number of people reporting damages and cited a court ruling that acknowledged victims' claims for compensation from the group.

The ministry says it will swiftly make the designation and inform the former Unification Church.

Once the group is given the designation, it will be obliged to submit a report before it disposes of real estate and required to present a list of its assets every three months.

A law enacted in December says a group can be categorized as a designated religious corporation if it is facing dissolution orders due to legal violations, and it is likely to have many victims.

The culture ministry previously requested a court order that would strip the group of its religious corporation status.

The ministry says that as of now, it cannot say for certain whether the group will conceal its assets.

It says that if it finds any risk of such behavior in the future, it will consider giving a different designation that would allow victims to view the group's list of its assets.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said on Wednesday that the government will work to smoothly implement the measure.

He said relevant ministries and agencies will continue to work together to strengthen consultation and support systems and provide relief to victims.

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification issued a comment after the panel decision. It said the law seriously violates the rights of religious corporations and is unconstitutional.

The group said it has conveyed its view to the ministry in a statement.