Japan's welfare ministry has issued a set of guidelines to municipalities on how to deal with cases of abuse involving the offspring of religious group followers, including those of the group widely known as the Unification Church.
The ministry has already called on schools and child consultation centers not to hesitate to help children because of reasons connected with religion. In the latest notice, the ministry listed specific examples.
Forcing children to take part in religious activities by saying they would otherwise go to hell is considered psychological abuse. Forbidding for religious reasons all forms of leisure, such as reading manga or playing video games, is another example.
Forcing children to attend religious activities late at night is considered physical abuse. If donations to a religious organization hamper a child's living conditions or education, that amounts to neglect.
The ministry stresses that the children's safety should be the top priority. It says that actions including taking a child into temporary custody should be considered if guidance by child consultation centers and other entities results in an escalation of abusive behavior.
The ministry plans to post the guidelines on its website and social media sites. It urges municipalities to respond quickly to calls from children and schools.