(MENAFN) On Wednesday, Japanese Premier Fumio Kishida reorganized his cabinet, sacking some associates who had ties to the divisive Unification Church, which earned attention after the assassination of EX-premier Shinzo Abe.
Abe, the president from 2012 to 2020, was shot and murdered in July while joining a public meeting. His assassin claimed he had a vendetta against the politician because he was supporting the church, which he declared was responsible for his mother's financial ruin due to contributions.
Associates of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and many ministers from Kishida's cabinet have admitted to having connections to the Unification Church, now formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.
In the past, some church leaders had been found guilty in Japan of extorting money from associates by using coercive tactics including threats. The group is essentially a cult, according to critics.
The recent decline in Fumio Kishida's popularity has been attributed to the government's connections to the church; the premier's approval ratings have fallen under 50 percent for the first time since he assumed office in October last year.
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