In Memory of Takako Fujita, Martyr for Religious Freedom in Japan

Mrs. Takako Fujita, who married a Korean believer and lived in Korea, visited her Mrs. Takako Fujita home in Ehime prefecture in Japan alone, to attend a Buddhist funeral ceremony. During her stay in her parents’ home, she was kidnapped and brought to Kyoto city where she was confined in an apartment for about four months in an attempt to break her faith and force her to renounce her marriage. Like many other victims, a Christian minister was apparently involved in her confinement.

Finally, in despair, she attempted suicide and was brought to a hospital, where she died on July 13, 1997, at the age of 27. The police were aware of the situation but did not treat it as a criminal investigation, despite the fact that she had been held against her will. Nor did they assist her husband in his attempt to rescue her during her confinement. In the end, no one was arrested or indicted. Her husband returned to Japan in an attempt to attend her funeral ceremony, but her family refused to admit him.

To learn more detail about Takako’s story, click on the link:

http://www.wfwp.us/195

To read more about other victim’s cases firsthand (Takako is #8), click on this link:

http://religiousfreedom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=469:12- cases&catid=47:deprogramming-issues&Itemid=486

In memory of Takako’s deep and righteous heart, a song has been written for her by Dan Fefferman, and sung by Clair Stein. See attached, which we offer as a gift in Takako-san’s memory. (The melody is based on the American folk song: “The Ballad of Omi Wise.” Note that the details of Takako’s death as conveyed in the song are not necessarily historically accurate, but reflect the folk tradition.)

Your prayers for Takako-san’s spirit and the rights of our members in Japan are deeply appreciated today, July 13, 2011.

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