Japan Warns of Ongoing Threat from Aum Shinrikyo Successor Groups

Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, authorities caution against the extremist groups still influenced by executed cult leader Chizuo Matsumoto.

• Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki has warned that Aum Shinrikyo’s successor groups—Aleph, Hikari no Wa, and Yamada-ra no Shudan—remain active and dangerous.
• The successor groups continue to operate under the ideological influence of Chizuo Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara, the mastermind of the 1995 sarin attack.
• Authorities have expressed concern that these groups may still pose a risk of committing mass violence, despite Matsumoto's execution in 2018.
• The 30th anniversary of the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, which killed 14 people and injured thousands, will be marked on March 20, 2025, with memorials and reflections on its enduring impact.
• A former senior member of Aum Shinrikyo has publicly expressed regret for his involvement in the cult, admitting he ignored his doubts about Matsumoto’s leadership.

4 Articles

The Japan Times The Japan Times South China Morning Post IFLScience