This Japanese Cult Leader Believed He’s Yoda | Uncovered
- last year
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