金刀比羅宮が神社本庁離脱へ　大嘗祭関連行事などで不信感―香川

　香川県琴平町の金刀比羅宮が神社本庁を離脱する手続きに入ったことが１４日、同宮への取材で分かった。天皇陛下の即位に伴う「大嘗祭」の関連行事で、お供えの金銭が当日までに本庁から届かないなど不信感を抱いていたという。
　５日付で離脱の理由などを神社本庁に通知すると共に、境内に公告を掲示した。文化庁に届け出を出し、必要な手続きなどが済めば、秋には離脱できる見込み。（2020/06/14-12:27）

Kotohiragu, a famous shrine in western Japan, has started procedures to secede from the Association of Shinto Shrines due to its growing distrust of the governing body for shrines in the country over issues including one related to a key Imperial succession rite, it was learned Sunday.
   Kotohiragu, in the town of Kotohira in Kagawa Prefecture, part of Shikoku, one of Japan's four main islands, informed the association on June 5 of reasons for its plan to leave the body. The shrine, better known as Konpirasan, also posted a notice on the planned exit at its premises.
   The shrine will likely be able to leave the association after submitting the plan to the Agency for Cultural Affairs and completing other necessary procedures, sources at the shrine said.
   According to the sources, Kotohiragu sought a detailed explanation from the association about suspicions over questionable real estate transactions involving the governing body that took place several years ago. But no clear response was given, the sources said.
   Its distrust of the association grew after monetary donations for the "Daijosai" grand thanksgiving rite by Japanese Emperor Naruhito in November 2019 were not sent to Kotohiragu from the organization by the day when the shrine held a Daijosai-related festival simultaneously with the Imperial ceremony. The Daijosai rite, a key succession event for Emperor Naruhito, who was enthroned in May 2019, took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.