First Japanese Church of Scientology ‘Ideal Org’ Opens in Tokyo, Japan

By WRN Editorial Staff --
11 Aug 2015 --

At the Church of Scientology Tokyo inauguration, Parliamentary and local Japanese leaders spoke to celebrate the efforts and contributions of Scientology’s programs during the 2011 natural disasters that rocked the area.

Even when compared to the standards of any other world religion, 2015 has been an extraordinary year of increased global reach for the Church of Scientology, particularly this summer. In July alone, three major centers were opened which include the Continental Liaison Office in the UK, the Scientology Information Center at the Church’s headquarters in Florida, and the new Ideal Org in Bogotá, Colombia, the first branch of the church in South America.

Saturday, August 8, Scientology finally reached Japan with the inauguration of its very first ‘Ideal Org’ in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. (FYI, the Church of Scientology calls its new churches ‘Ideal Orgs’ in reference to “what Founder L. Ron Hubbard termed ‘Ideal Organizations.’ An Ideal Org is configured to provide the full services of the Scientology religion to its parishioners, while also serving the community with social betterment and outreach programs.”)

Mr. MISCAVIGE traveled to Japan to officiate the dedication ceremony. He was joined by more than a thousand Scientologists for the historic occasion.

David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board, Religious Technology Center, Church of Scientology.

The grand opening and ribbon-cutting event was officiated by the leader of the Church of Scientology, David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board, Religious Technology Center, as well as multiple officials from Japanese Parliament and local government.

From the Church’s press release for the event, the celebratory and inspiring word’s of David Miscavige:

“This is the next chapter in your magnificent journey and altogether epic future. Let it be a future bearing the hallmark of help. And let that help touch one’s family, one’s friends, one’s nation and ultimately all Mankind. With this inauguration, we have arrived at our destiny—where we provide our technology with unrestrained dedication and determination. So that this land, in turn, may empower every human soul.”

The new Church of Scientology Tokyo, on grand opening night, August 8th, 2015.

The new 8-story ‘Ideal Org’ in Tokyo is located close to Tokyo’s version of Times Square, Shibuya, and the world-renowned Shinjuku train station. Similar to all other Ideal Orgs, the Scientology center in Japan features an information center, an introductory services room, its own chapel where religious services and other events take place, multiple cafes, multi-function or seminar rooms, a ‘Purification Center,’ and an entire floor for Scientology auditing.

The Church of Scientology Tokyo public information center.

In the Academy, Scientologists train to become auditors (spiritual counselors) capable of applying the technology of auditing to help others attain spiritual freedom. The Tokyo Academy comprises multiple course rooms, each devoted to a different aspect of training.

Aside from the hundreds of religious materials and films, the information center also features some of Scientology’s contributions to the Japanese society, particularly records of its rescue and relief operations during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters.

Chapel inside the Church of Scientology Tokyo

More than 1,000 members and guests witnessed the inauguration. It was also graced by some of Japan’s notable leaders such as Miyagi Prefecture’s Member of Parliament Masami Saito, Tomoo Furubo of the Toshima City Assembly in Tokyo, Takayuki Shirota of the Learning Support Institute and Tomoki Hirabayashi of the non-profit organization Challenge Again Tokyo. Each leader recalled and praised the efforts and contributions of the Church of Scientology in Japan over the years.

The Tokyo Ideal Org opened its doors in Shinjuku City on Saturday, August 8. Scientologists from throughout Japan celebrated the grand occasion.

"Scientologists bring help to the millions. But I can also tell you how Scientologists bring help to one: Me. Because following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that swept my city away, your members, the Volunteer Ministers, were there clearing away debris from our collapsed house in the hope that our family members were there. Your humanitarian attitude was touching to the core.”—MR. MASAMI SAITO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MIYAGI PREFECTURE — “Scientologists bring help to the millions. But I can also tell you how Scientologists bring help to one: Me. Because following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that swept my city away, your members, the Volunteer Ministers, were there clearing away debris from our collapsed house in the hope that our family members were there. Your humanitarian attitude was touching to the core.”—MR. MASAMI SAITO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MIYAGI PREFECTURE

See the official photos from the grand opening of the new Church of #Scientology #Tokyo at http://t.co/IDU8QgHAvV pic.twitter.com/ts273GtIhR
— Scientology (@Scientology) August 9, 2015

The Miyagi Prefecture was one of the hardest hit regions in Japan during the 2011 natural disasters. Mr. Saito recounted how Volunteer Ministers helped in the rescue, relief, and clearing operations. According to Mr. Saito, who was personally assisted by the church after his house collapsed, said the church is a “true humanitarian organization” showing skill, discipline, and an attitude that was “touching to the core.”

Mr. Tomoo Furubo on the other hand thanked the church for its anti-drug abuse campaign. In 2012 Japan witnessed major abuse of regulated drugs (“legal herbs”) that have the same effects as those illegally traded. “Your information gave me the solid policy I needed,” he said. “Our assembly officially chose to partner with your organization. Now, move forward to today, and there are no more shops that sell legal herbs in Japan—thanks to the Scientologists!”

“In 2012, ‘legal herbs’ were spiraling out of control. Your information gave me the solid policy I needed. Our assembly officially chose to partner with your organization. Now, move forward to today, and there are no more shops that sell legal herbs, thanks to the Scientologists.”
—MR. TOMOO FURUBO, MEMBER OF TOSHIMA CITY ASSEMBLY

L. Ron Hubbard’s Study Technology impresses Mr. Takayuki Shirota, Director of the Learning Support Institute. According to him, infusing technology with the church’s teaching is very practical and “injects the power to live into a new generation.” He added that the new Ideal Org will be very helpful for Tokyo’s students and will serve as a bright hope for mankind.

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, with (left to right): Mr. Takayuki Shirota, Director of the Japanese Learning Support Institute; Mr. Tomoo Furubo, Member of the Toshima City Assembly in Tokyo; Mr. Masami Saito, Member of Parliament for Miyagi Prefecture; and Mr. Tomoki Hirabayashi, General Secretary of the national nonprofit Challenge Again of Tokyo.

Finally, Mr. Hirabayashi mentioned how the church supported a mental health watchdog and urged Scientology to become a partner of Japan in the prevention of the “over-drugging” of the population by psychiatry. He wants to create a culture “where kids can grow up healthy, carry the future of the country on their shoulders and be of service to the world.”

“We must end the over-drugging of our population at the hands of psychiatry before they halt the progress of our nation. My purpose is to create a culture where kids can grow up healthy, carry the future of the country on their shoulders and be of service to the world. And with more people like you acting to stop these rights abuses, we will safeguard that future!” —Mr. Tomoki Hirabayashi, General Secretary, Challenge Again of Tokyo

The inauguration of the new Ideal Org was officiated by the church’s Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center, David Miscavige. He applauds the new church milestone as the “arrival of Scientology at its destiny.” According to Miscavige, Japan is a place where Scientologists can provide their technology with “unrestrained dedication and determination.” He also mentioned how the church’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was fond of the Asian country. “I greatly respect the Japanese as a people. I have always considered Japan the hope of Asia.”