The leader of the Japanese “Happy Science” cult, which claimed to be able to communicate with spirits, has died

Ryuho Okawahead of Japanese sect “Happy Science”who claimed power communicate with spirits around the world, from Jesus to Donald Trump, deceased this Thursday at the age of 66, local media reported.

He was rushed to hospital after collapsing at his Tokyo home earlier this week, and was confirmed dead on Thursday, according to major news outlets including the National Network. NHK and the news agency Jiji.

The cause of death is not yet known, according to Fuji TV.

Okawa was the singular leader and founder of the group happy sciences (Happy Science), founded in 1986 and claiming membership in over 168 countries.

The group believes in spiritual reincarnation and in the construction of a global utopiabut he faced public opposition for the cult of personality surrounding Okawa, including from his own son Hiroshi.

In 2020, he told the New York Times that his father had “lied relentlessly to his supporters”.

“I think what my father does is a complete nonsense”.

Among Japanese audiences, Okawa was perhaps best known for claiming to be able channeling the minds of the rich and famousas well as for the books of his paternity based on what he claimed the spirits were telling him.

His most recent publications include Speech of the Spirits of Russian President Vladimir Putinabout his decision to invade Ukraine, jesus christ about the pandemic and the head of Queen Freddie Mercury after the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Although Okawa stayed away from popular media, he was a constant presence in newspapers which ran advertisements for his latest books, as well as the occasional film and music.

He claimed to have had a epiphany at 24when he acquired the ability to communicate with spirits and realized that his mission was “lead humanity to happiness”.

Okawa threw a political party in 2009, advocating for a small government based on religious teachings, while containing the rise of China and limiting the rights of the LGBTQ community.

The game “Good achievement” it has yet to win seats at the national level, although its members have won seats in local assemblies.

Historically, fringe religious groups have been able to operate in Japan with relatively few restrictions, but they have come under renewed scrutiny since the assassination of the former prime minister. Shinzo Abe.

Apparently, his alleged murderer, Tetsuya Yamagamitargeted Abe for his ties to the Unification Church.

After the assassination, links between the Church and high-ranking politicians came to light, and the Japanese government passed new legislation aimed at preventing religious groups from obtaining massive donations from their followers.

Okawa was born in 1956 in rural Tokushima. He graduated from the University of Tokyo, Japan’s top academy, and joined a business venture before leaving to found the cult.

(With information from AFP)

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