There has been a new development regarding a controversial religious group widely known by its former name the Unification Church. The organization drew intensive scrutiny after last year's fatal shooting of a former Japanese prime minister. The head of the Japan branch has issued an apology.

Tanaka Tomihiro held his first news conference since the government sought a court order removing its religious corporation status.

The Unification Church is accused of soliciting large donations from followers. Tanaka acknowledged the group's instructions on donations was insufficient.

Tanaka said," I apologize from the bottom of my heart to the children of followers who have had a hard time and also to the Japanese people."

This man says his parents made large donations that left him in poverty. He said, " I felt the apology was superficial. I wonder why they suddenly changed their attitude and apologized when the focus is on the group's asset preservation. To avoid being deceived, I think it's necessary to closely examine their intent."

Diet discussions are underway concerning legal arrangements to prevent the group from transferring assets that should be used to pay out compensation.

But the group says it does not intend to transfer any assets overseas while court proceedings are underway. Tanaka revealed that the group plans to set aside a compensation fund of about 70 million dollars.
He said the group is willing to prepare a deposit if the government arranges a way to do so. The branch head declined to disclose the group's total assets in Japan.

An expert in religious sociology says Tuesday's news conference had a hidden motive.

Sakurai Yoshihide, a professor of Hokkaido University, said, " The group's officials neither acknowledge their offenses, nor do they recognize the victims as having suffered. They are just trying to avoid having their religious entity status revoked."

A Tokyo court will hear arguments from the government and the group before handing down a decision. If the court order is granted, the group would lose its religious corporation and tax exemption status. But it would still be allowed to continue its religious activities.

The group came under scrutiny after last year's fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. The gunman told investigators that he believed Abe and the church had close ties. His mother had given huge donations that he claimed had financially ruined his family.