Ryūhō Ōkawa, leader of the Japanese Happy Science religion, was the self-proclaimed reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Elohim and…Yoda. He died earlier this year, leaving behind a complex legacy. From Wall-Street trader to founder of the controversial religion, Okawa was a savvy businessman who is said to have used this know-how to create a money-making machine disguised as spirituality.
While Happy Science boasts over 12 million followers worldwide,the real number is likely much lower. Perhaps that’s because members had to give donations of up to $400 at a time for ‘blessings’. The cult is known for bizarre anime, a political party calling for the remilitarization of Japan and celebrity seances with figures like Margaret Thatcher. In 2020, the cult minimized the dangers of COVID and said it was caused by UFOs.
But what will the cult do now without its supreme leader?
Host
Yasna Vismale
Producer
Stephanie Tangkilisan
Editor-In-Chief
Keshia Hannam
Researcher
Manal Ahmed
Director of Photography
Boya Sun
Editor
Evander Arther
Animator
Fajar Alkan
Graphic Design
Samuel Kang
Fitra Pratama
Annie Zhao
Additional Archival Material
Ryuho Okawa
Wikimedia
Britannica
Observer
Happy Science Los Angeles Temple
DW News
Getty Images
Youtube/Nhuck Theduck
Happy Science
Nat Geo
Catholic.com
Awareness Space
ExpressNews Vietnam
Happy Science Official
Twitter/@mrjeffu
Real Estate Tokyo
Youtube/FCCJ Channel
While Happy Science boasts over 12 million followers worldwide,the real number is likely much lower. Perhaps that’s because members had to give donations of up to $400 at a time for ‘blessings’. The cult is known for bizarre anime, a political party calling for the remilitarization of Japan and celebrity seances with figures like Margaret Thatcher. In 2020, the cult minimized the dangers of COVID and said it was caused by UFOs.
But what will the cult do now without its supreme leader?
Host
Yasna Vismale
Producer
Stephanie Tangkilisan
Editor-In-Chief
Keshia Hannam
Researcher
Manal Ahmed
Director of Photography
Boya Sun
Editor
Evander Arther
Animator
Fajar Alkan
Graphic Design
Samuel Kang
Fitra Pratama
Annie Zhao
Additional Archival Material
Ryuho Okawa
Wikimedia
Britannica
Observer
Happy Science Los Angeles Temple
DW News
Getty Images
Youtube/Nhuck Theduck
Happy Science
Nat Geo
Catholic.com
Awareness Space
ExpressNews Vietnam
Happy Science Official
Twitter/@mrjeffu
Real Estate Tokyo
Youtube/FCCJ Channel
Category
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Ryuho Okawa was the self-proclaimed supreme being of the world.
00:03 He died in March of this year, but he leaves behind an interesting legacy.
00:07 Happy Science is a melting pot of religions,
00:09 and it sustains its influence through a large media empire.
00:12 If you defile and disobey the teachings of the living Buddha,
00:16 that is the same as rejecting the great spirit of the universe.
00:22 His books and movies promote the idea that militarism and authoritarianism government
00:28 paved the way for love and peace.
00:30 Their nationalistic party, the Happiness Realization Party,
00:32 also calls for the re-militarization of Japan.
00:35 During the early days of the pandemic, the organization also sold miracle vaccines.
00:40 Essentially just blessings for up to a whopping $400,
00:44 all while it told its followers that COVID was nothing to worry about
00:47 and also refused to take it seriously.
00:49 But what does it have in store now without its supreme leader?
00:52 Well, we'll just have to find out and see.
00:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]