Unification Church head of Japan steps down after scandal

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Hanko, Japanese signature of 1258

The Japan Times reports today:

"The head of the Unification Church said Monday he will resign after some church members were arrested and indicted for allegedly selling expensive personal "hanko" seals by telling people they would suffer bad fortune if they did not buy them."

"Gentaro Kajikuri, a 72-year-old executive member of the church, will succeed him, Tokuno said."

In Japan hanko tends to refer to seals used in less important documents. According to this Wikipedia article:

"A Seal, in an East Asian context, is a general name for printing stamps and impressions thereof that are used in lieu of signatures in personal documents, office paperwork, contracts, art, or any item requiring acknowledgment or authorship."

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