TOKYO, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan's House of Representatives on Tuesday voted down a no-confidence motion against education minister Masahito Moriyama, who has come under strong criticism for his ties to the controversial Unification Church.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) criticized Moriyama, whose ministerial portfolio covers religious affairs, in the motion for the evasive and inconsistent responses to accusations regarding his links to the Unification Church.
"There's no way that a person who tries to remain in his position as minister while concealing an inconvenient relationship with the Unification Church could be suitable for the position of education minister," CDPJ lawmaker Makiko Kikuta told the Lower House plenary assembly.
According to media reports, Moriyama, a 70-year-old lower house member, attended an event hosted by a group affiliated with the controversial religious group Unification Church and received a letter of recommendation for his candidacy for the 2021 lower house election.
The Unification Church is accused of soliciting financially ruinous donations from members and engaging in dubious sales practices.
Amid criticism of the organization, Japan's education and culture ministry has requested a court order for the removal of the group's religious corporation status. ■
