(Mar. 12, 2021) On February 24, 2021, Japan’s Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for the city government of Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, to exempt a Confucian temple from paying land usage fees because such an exemption violated the principle of separation of religion and state. (2019(Gyo-tsu)222 (S. Ct., Feb. 24, 2021), in Japanese; to […]
Topic: Church and state relations, Constitutional law, Cultural heritage, Government, Government property, Judiciary, Religious buildings, Statues and monuments, Supreme court
Jurisdiction: Japan
Author: Sayuri Umeda
(July 14, 2016) On July 6, 2016, the President of the Russian Federation signed the recently adopted Federal Law No. 374 on Amending the Federal Law on Counterterrorism and Select Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Concerning the Creation of Additional Measures Aimed at Countering Terrorism and Protecting Public Safety. (Federal Law No. 374, PRAVO.GOV.RU […]
Topic: Church and state relations, Freedom of religion, Religious buildings, Religious minorities
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation
Author: Peter Roudik
(May 20, 2016) On March 31, 2016, an updated version of the 2004 Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape entered into effect in Italy. (Legislative Decree No. 42 of January 22, 2004, Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape, as Mandated by Article 10 of Law No. 137 of July 6, 2002 (L.D. No. 42), GAZETTA UFFICIALE […]
Topic: Archives, Arts and culture, Cultural heritage, Libraries, Museums, Parks, Religious buildings
Jurisdiction: Italy
Author: Dante Figueroa
