Difference between revisions of "Japan"
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| − | [[The Family]] began proselytizing activities in Japan in the early [[1970s]] and Japan quickly became one of the more prominent "[[field]]s" | + | [[The Family International]] began proselytizing activities in Japan in the early [[1970s]] and Japan quickly became one of the more prominent "[[field]]s" the group operated in. |
| − | Through [[ | + | Through [[Flirty Fishing]] and slick public relations the sect built a network of powerful friends. Included among these were the [[Naritas]], a wealthy and influential couple who purchased property and built a facility in [[Tateyama, Japan|Tateyama]] for the group that became their model "[[21st Century International School]]", known to members as the [[Heavenly City School]] (HCS). The HCS would become the nerve center of The Family's worldwide music, literature, and video propaganda operation (see: [[:Category:Family Media]]), though in recent years both its importance and number of residents have diminished. |
| − | In November | + | In November [[1987]], [[David Berg]], [[Karen Zerby]] and their entourage left the [[Philippines]] and headed to Japan to oversee the HCS, where Berg began writing a series of [[Mo Letter]]s pushing [[:Category:Education|education]], including "The School Vision!" (ML 2430), saying "It's Japan's hour!", followed by a stream of Letters about Japan such as "It's Up to Japan!" (ML 2404). Berg warned that The Family needed to reach the Japanese youth before the Antichrist made them "demon-possessed leaders to rule the World" (ML 2413:77). |
| − | In June | + | In June [[1992]], leading Japanese news weekly [http://www.bunshun.co.jp/mag/shukanbunshun/ Shukan Bunshun] initiated a far-reaching investigative series on [[Ai no Kazoku]] or [[The Family of Love]], as the group was then known, with hard-hitting reports detailing strategies and [[:Category:Sexuality|sexual practices]]. Shukan Bunshun scored a journalistic coup by locating [[Rick Dupuy]], a former leader who was intimately involved in the sect's Japanese operation for four years prior to his departure in early 1992. Dupuy supplied inside information about the group's clandestine activities, including the use of illegal visas. |
| − | In recent years, [[second generation]] members in Japan have left in large numbers to pursue secular careers (see [[Missionary Kids]], [[Third Culture Kids]]). | + | Following the [[Angela Smith's death|murder]]–[[Ricky Rodriguez's death|suicide]] by [[Ricky Rodriguez]] in early [[2005]], media attention towards the group in Japan has again increased (see also: [[Japan Persecution Notices 2005]]). |
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| + | In recent years, [[second generation]] members in Japan have left in large numbers to pursue secular careers (see: [[Missionary Kids]], [[Third Culture Kids]]). | ||
==Locations== | ==Locations== | ||
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The following are from the official, internally published statistics by The Family International. For more information, see our [[statistics|statistics page]]. | The following are from the official, internally published statistics by The Family International. For more information, see our [[statistics|statistics page]]. | ||
===2002=== | ===2002=== | ||
| − | Near the end of [[2002]] there were 91 | + | Near the end of [[2002]], there were 91 [[Home|Family homes]] in Japan, housing 900 members. 6% (or approximately 678) of The Family's total worldwide population of 11,297 members (4,631 age 21 and older, 6,666 age 20 and younger) were of Japanese nationality. |
===2003=== | ===2003=== | ||
| − | At the close of [[2003]], | + | At the close of [[2003]], The Family's total membership was down to 10,653. 7.7% of that total population (approximately 820) lived in Japan. 5.8% (approximately 618) of The Family's members were Japanese. |
| − | that total population (approximately 820) lived in Japan. 5.8% (approximately 618) of | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.family.gr.jp The Family Japan] — Official website | *[http://www.family.gr.jp The Family Japan] — Official website | ||
| − | *[http://www.activate.jp/ Activate Japan] — Family | + | *[http://www.activate.jp/ Activate Japan] — Magazine by The Family |
===Family Projects and Fronts=== | ===Family Projects and Fronts=== | ||
*[http://www.side-by-side-intl.org/english/ Side by Side International (English)] | *[http://www.side-by-side-intl.org/english/ Side by Side International (English)] | ||
Revision as of 20:32, 21 May 2005
The Family International began proselytizing activities in Japan in the early 1970s and Japan quickly became one of the more prominent "fields" the group operated in.
Through Flirty Fishing and slick public relations the sect built a network of powerful friends. Included among these were the Naritas, a wealthy and influential couple who purchased property and built a facility in Tateyama for the group that became their model "21st Century International School", known to members as the Heavenly City School (HCS). The HCS would become the nerve center of The Family's worldwide music, literature, and video propaganda operation (see: Category:Family Media), though in recent years both its importance and number of residents have diminished.
In November 1987, David Berg, Karen Zerby and their entourage left the Philippines and headed to Japan to oversee the HCS, where Berg began writing a series of Mo Letters pushing education, including "The School Vision!" (ML 2430), saying "It's Japan's hour!", followed by a stream of Letters about Japan such as "It's Up to Japan!" (ML 2404). Berg warned that The Family needed to reach the Japanese youth before the Antichrist made them "demon-possessed leaders to rule the World" (ML 2413:77).
In June 1992, leading Japanese news weekly Shukan Bunshun initiated a far-reaching investigative series on Ai no Kazoku or The Family of Love, as the group was then known, with hard-hitting reports detailing strategies and sexual practices. Shukan Bunshun scored a journalistic coup by locating Rick Dupuy, a former leader who was intimately involved in the sect's Japanese operation for four years prior to his departure in early 1992. Dupuy supplied inside information about the group's clandestine activities, including the use of illegal visas.
Following the murder–suicide by Ricky Rodriguez in early 2005, media attention towards the group in Japan has again increased (see also: Japan Persecution Notices 2005).
In recent years, second generation members in Japan have left in large numbers to pursue secular careers (see: Missionary Kids, Third Culture Kids).
Contents
Locations
Below are some locations the Family has had or maintains a presence.
Statistics
The following are from the official, internally published statistics by The Family International. For more information, see our statistics page.
2002
Near the end of 2002, there were 91 Family homes in Japan, housing 900 members. 6% (or approximately 678) of The Family's total worldwide population of 11,297 members (4,631 age 21 and older, 6,666 age 20 and younger) were of Japanese nationality.
2003
At the close of 2003, The Family's total membership was down to 10,653. 7.7% of that total population (approximately 820) lived in Japan. 5.8% (approximately 618) of The Family's members were Japanese.
External links
- The Family Japan — Official website
- Activate Japan — Magazine by The Family
Family Projects and Fronts
- Side by Side International (English)
- Heart to Heart
- Aino Kakehashi (English)
- G'Day Net
- Christian Family Fellowship
- Let's Be Friends
- Family Kobe — Registered on the Kobe City homepage
Family Members' Sites
- Masayuki Abe
- Takashi Adachi
- James Japan — Website of James Arendt in Niigata
- Angels Watching — Website of William M. Henry
