Japan marks 28 years since AUM Shinrikyo cult's nerve gas attack

On Monday, TOKYO Kyodo Japan marked 28 years since the AUM Shinrikyo cult's nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system that killed 14 people and injured more than 6,000 people, at a time when another controversial religious group continues to draw public attention after the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

At Kasumigaseki Station in the Japanese capital, officials observed a moment of silence at a memorial service at 8 a.m. around the time when the deadly sarin nerve agent was released in train cars on March 20, 1995.

Among those attending the event and also laying flowers was Shizue Takahashi whose husband, a deputy stationmaster at Kasumigaseki Station, died in the incident.

Takahashi, 76, leads a group of victims who have been urging the government to set up a facility to keep and disclose records of the attack.

Takahashi said that as the number of people who do not know about the incident increases, I am afraid it will be forgotten.

She warned that problems arising from problematic religious groups may be repeated without preserving records, as public awareness of cults is growing.

Abe's alleged shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, has told investigators he held a grudge against the Unification Church, a religious group known for its aggressive solicitations of donations, and believed Abe had links with it. Abe was shot in July while giving an election campaign speech.

Yamagami's statements led to renewed scrutiny of the Unification Church, prompting the government to launch an investigation into the organization with an eye to obtaining a court order to remove its status as a religious corporation with tax benefits.

Subway operator Tokyo Metro Co. set up stand for mourners to lay flowers at Kasumigaseki, Kodemmacho, Hatchobori, Nakanosakaue and other central Tokyo stations where people were caught up in the attack.

Tetsuo Saito, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, visited Kasumigaseki to lay flowers.

He said the government will strengthen its efforts to fight terrorism and create an environment in which passengers can feel safe and secure in a statement.

The founder of the Doomsday cult, Shoko Asahara, and 12 former AUM members were put to death in 2018.

Five train cars were attacked simultaneously on three separate lines in the morning rush hour, causing havoc at the stations and destroying the subway network in the capital.

AUM Shinrikyo renamed itself Aleph in 2000. It and two other successor groups - Hikarinowa, or the Circle of Rainbow Light, and a smaller offshoot of Aleph remain under surveillance by authorities.

The Public Security Examination Commission slapped Aleph with a six month ban on the use of 13 of its approximately 20 facilities nationwide, and on receiving donations for failing to report its activities as legally required, ahead of the anniversary.

It was decided on March 13 to restrict the activities of the group due to the risk of it committing indiscriminate killings and other criminal acts.

According to the Public Safety Intelligence Agency, Aleph had 1,280 members as of January.