Japan asks court to strip Unification church of religious status

Move comes after assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe and growing criticism of fundraising activities

Japan's government has asked a court to strip the Unification church of its status, amid growing criticism of the group's fundraising activities after the assassination last year of the former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

If the Tokyo district court accepts the request, the church - whose members are colloquially known as Moonies - will be stripped of its status as a religious corporation and lose exemptions from corporate and property taxes, as well as a tax on income from monetary offerings.