Memorial Service for Mrs. Takako Fujita

July 17, 2010
Mr. Luke Higuchi, President
Survivors Against Forced Exit

On the occasion of the U.S. memorial service for Mrs. Takako Fujita, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all who have gathered to honor this holy martyr for religious freedom. Mrs. Fujita's death reminds us of the precious value of faith, which is more important, even than life itself. In honoring Mrs. Fujita we are reminded that she is not alone among the saints who chose to die rather than to deny their God. Many of the early Christian saints were persecuted to death not only by the Roman state, but by their own families. That is one reason why Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." As a Jew, I also recall the hundreds of Jewish martyrs at the fortress of Masada, who took their own lives rather than allowing themselves to be captured by Roman soldiers. These Christian and Jewish saints surely join with us in spirit today.

One of the most tragic aspects of Mrs. Fujita's case is that the government refused to investigate the criminal circumstances of her death. Literally thousands of Unificationists, Jehevoh's Witnesses and other minority groups have suffered as a result of the failure of the Japanese authorities to protect the human rights of religious believers. This situation must change. I am confident that from now own, the spirit of Mrs. Fujita will be able to freely assist us in own mutual efforts to secure the rights of religious believers in Japan who face the persecution of kidnapping, confinement, and faith-breaking.

Very best regards,
Dan Fefferman
President
International Coalition for Religious Freedom