Yamaya Makoto Convicted of Defaming Christian Today in Japan; Ordered to Pay Compensation

By Editorial Dept.

Japan's Salvation Army Major Yamaya Makoto, who accused Christian Today in Korea founder Dr. David Jang and Christian Today Japan as related to Unification Church, has been convicted Wednesday at Tokyo district court for defamation and must pay a penalty of 950,000 Yen ($9,500 USD).  

In the past years, Makoto has systematically published on his blog large numbers of commentaries accusing Christian Today Japan as related to the Unification Church. He claimed that the community led by Jang, who is the also the founder of Olivet University, believes that Jang is the second coming of Christ and that Christian Today Japan follows such heretical doctrine.

Tokyo district court Judge Toda Hisashi said in the ruling that the internet blog articles by Makoto did not perform careful analysis on the basis of documentation at objective and reasonable grounds.

Moreover, the presiding judge stated that Makoto's accusations that Christian Today Japan is "brain-washing their employees" and is a dummy organization of Unification Church have no "reasonableness for believing to be true." 

Although Yamaya is a Salvation Army Major in Japan, Salvation Army has drawn a line between them and Yamaya by saying that his comments are purely his opinions and has completely no relationship with the organization.

The judge ruled that because Christian Today Japan suffered unreasonable damages caused by baseless accusations, Makoto is ordered to compensate $940,000 Yen and must delete all of the articles and blog accounts defaming the plaintiff, Christian Today Japan.

"For an organization that provides information only with respect to Christianity, the effects of being accused as a cult organization most likely have impaired significantly the credibility of its activities," said Judge Hisashi, adding that Yamaya's commentaries have deviated from the sphere of personal opinions and was illegal. 

Meanwhile, Makoto's accusations were spread beyond the borders of Japan. A media in Korea took advantage of the Yamaya's claims and widely spread the rumors to Hong Kong and Japan, which resulted in their prosecution by Korea's criminal court. While the case was escalated to higher court, the original ruling of guilty was maintained by Korea's Supreme Court on January 28, 2010. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories