TOKYO – Three decades have passed since the devastating sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway system, yet for survivors and the families of the deceased, justice remains elusive. On March 20, 1995, members of a religious cult disseminated the lethal nerve agent in the city’s bustling subway, killing 13 and leaving thousands grappling with the aftermath. The tragedy is a haunting chapter in Japan’s history, a nation recognized for its safety and low crime rates.
The group responsible, Aum Shinrikyo, or the Supreme Truth, has since been disbanded. However, the repercussions of its actions continue to affect many lives. Shoko Asahara, the cult’s founder, along with a dozen of his disciples, were executed in 2018. Yet, about 1,600 of its former members persist in renamed factions, defiantly refusing to compensate survivors and the bereaved.
Shizue Takahashi, who lost her husband in the attack, recalls the devastation that struck just as they began to enjoy life after raising their children. “My life is still being ruined by Aum and its successor groups,” she said. “We need to carry on and not let the memories fade.”
During the busy morning rush hour, five cult members boarded different trains on three significant subway lines intersecting at Kasumigaseki, the governmental heart of Japan. These members punctured bags filled with sarin, releasing the toxic gas. Passengers fled trains, coughing and rubbing their eyes, while some collapsed on the platform. Emergency responders in protective gear offered assistance as chaos ensued.
Kazumasa Takahashi, unaware that he was cleaning up sarin, collapsed while removing a hazardous bag, a sacrifice that some believe saved numerous lives. The attack left over 6,000 people ill, with a fourteenth casualty succumbing to related ailments in 2020.
Yuji Nakamura, a lawyer representing the victims, criticized the authorities for missing critical warnings prior to the attack, suggesting that timely intervention could have thwarted the tragedy. In the aftermath, law enforcement conducted sweeping raids, discovering a hidden Asahara at the cult’s headquarters nestled near Mount Fuji. The raid itself was an audacious affair, involving police equipped with a canary to assist in detecting poison.
Aum Shinrikyo was initially formed by Chizuo Matsumoto in the 1980s, who later adopted the name Shoko Asahara. His teachings meshed multiple religious doctrines with apocalyptic prophecies. He attracted dissatisfied young intellectuals, convincing them that the end was near and only true believers would survive.
Financed by donations and business ventures, the cult’s inner circle, comprised of highly educated individuals, began weaponizing their resources. They produced sarin and other toxic agents, demonstrating their deadly intent in a series of attacks that culminated in the devastating Tokyo subway incident.
Shizue Takahashi has steadfastly attended nearly every trial related to Aum’s criminal acts and has advocated for better governmental support for affected families. Her campaign led to a groundbreaking law and financial provisions totaling three billion yen for the victims.
Nevertheless, the cult’s foremost successor, Aleph, remains defiant, refusing to settle court-ordered compensation. Allegations suggest that the group conceals vast income generated through various activities. Many survivors of the subway attack continue to face health complications and trauma.
Recent initiatives led by Takahashi, supported by advocacy groups, implore Japanese authorities to enforce stricter oversight on Aleph and stimulate the compensation process. Yet discussions indicate that the public hasn’t fully absorbed critical lessons from Aum’s story, says Shoko Egawa, a seasoned journalist versed in Aum’s history.
Egawa advocates for broader education on the recruitment strategies employed by cults to prevent further societal harm. Takahashi has also launched an online platform that shares insights and narratives from those affected, including reflections from notable figures such as writer Haruki Murakami.
Though the cult itself has disbanded, about 1,600 individuals continue to practice Asahara’s teachings under newly formed organizations. Minoru Kariya, whose family suffered at the hands of Aum, warns of the persistent danger posed by these entities still operating and recruiting followers.