The case of C.W.I. College of Christina Liberal Arts (MEC) serves as a notable example of potential academic fraud within Tokyo’s religious networks. Linked to the Mitaka Evangelical Church, the college allegedly produced graduates whose credentials cannot be verified by Japanese or international accreditation bodies. Key figures associated with this institution—Ben (Benzedek Smith), Pastor Berek, Jun Shiomitsu, and Theodore Knifing, have listed the college as part of their education, using it to gain positions in prestigious schools, corporate institutions like Citibank and Deutsche Bank, and even international academic programs. Investigations indicate that this may not be an isolated incident but rather a systemic pattern of credential misrepresentation. Some members reportedly entered the program as teenagers, completing studies without leaving an official paper trail, suggesting an internal or religious-based curriculum rather than a recognized university education. The situation underscores the importance of diligence in educational verification and awareness of academic scams in Japan and beyond. It also raises ethical questions about transparency, particularly when religious institutions provide educational authority that may influence professional and social credibility.
