On March 20, 2025, Japan commemorates the 30th anniversary of the devastating Tokyo subway sarin attack, which left 14 people dead and over 5,800 injured. The attack, executed by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, continues to resonate deeply within the nation, prompting reflections from law enforcement, families of the victims, and government officials on the importance of remembrance and vigilance.
Three days after the attack, on March 23, 1995, the Ibaraki Prefectural Police mobilized to inspect vehicles near Aum Shinrikyo facilities around Kamikuuishiki Village, Yamanashi Prefecture. Kazuyoshi Kikuike, then just a patrol officer and now 57 years old, recalled the tense atmosphere during operations aimed at preventing possible follow-up attacks. “There was this unusual tension, as we had no idea who might be carrying sarin,” he reflected.
For precautionary measures, police borrowed protective clothing and equipment from the Self-Defense Forces, including gas masks and chemical detectors. Patrols were set up along major routes leading to the village, effectively managing what was usually quiet traffic. Local law enforcement officers witnessed unusual behavior from cult members, who appeared unexpectedly on roads with supplies and training gear, as they tried to enter the secluded facilities. Despite the heavy police presence, they maintained cooperative behavior, presenting their identification without resistance.
The inspections and searches continued up until April 1, without yielding any leads on the identified suspects. Later investigations also focused on Aum facilities in Kyowa Village, where police deployed specially trained canaries to detect hazardous gases. Officers donned protective gear as they led operations, aware of the potential dangers lurking within the cult’s compounds.
Fast forward to March 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s 8th Mobile Unit conducted counter-terrorism drills on March 17 to solidify their preparedness against any similar attacks. They emphasized the importance of preventing the memories of the subway sarin incident from fading away.
Yuji Nakamura, head of the Aum Shinrikyo victims’ support group, emphasized at a recent meeting on the need for continued vigilance. “Many of us are getting older, and we want to distribute the remaining funds soon to conclude our mission,” he stated, referring to the approximately 1 billion 250 million yen earmarked for victims’ families and assistance efforts.
Among the bereaved is Takahashi, who expressed concern over the resurgence of Aum's successor organizations, particularly Aleph. “It’s frightening knowing they’re still recruiting new members,” he said. “We feel like our lives are still being messed up because of them.” His worried sentiments reflect the fears of many families, speaking to the urgency of addressing not only the legacies of past violence but also the contemporary threats posed by these groups.
The government has implemented measures to remind citizens of the grim history. Naomi Saito, head of the Public Safety Division, affirmed, “We continuously remind ourselves, ‘Aum is still continuing,’” emphasizing the need for communities to remain alert to the possibility of similar acts of violence occurring.
On March 18, Justice Minister Suzuki reiterated these concerns, stating, “The successor organizations of Aum Shinrikyo still pose threats to society.” These remarks come as police collaborate with the Public Security Intelligence Agency to conduct inspections of Aleph's Mito facility, which was previously used for training and residential purposes. Although currently prohibited from occupancy due to its disturbing past, evidence of Shoko Ashahara's teachings remains, fueling fears about the continuing influence of Aum’s ideology.
During these inspections, authorities found remnants of the organization, including teaching materials and photographs of the cult's founder, fueling public anxiety and reiterative calls for measures to prevent history from repeating itself.
While many families feel increasingly isolated due to the aging demographics of the victims and their supporters, the need for remembrance pushes them to advocate for continuous funding and assistance, ensuring their loved ones are not forgotten. “Younger generations don’t even know what happened during the subway incident, and it’s our duty to keep their memories alive,” Takahashi emphasized, pointing out the gap of knowledge surrounding the incident.
The Tokyo subway sarin incident is not just a historical event; it serves as a stark reminder of the capabilities of extremist ideologies and the consequences of negligence when such threats are overlooked. The police force has diligently learned from their past shortcomings, establishing specialized units and training protocols to equip officers with necessary skills for future threats.
These enhancements reflect broader societal awareness and responsibility to tackle the shadow of such terrorism and prevent tragic outcomes. Law enforcement's current operations highlight the crossover of lessons learned from tragedy to proactive measures taken to secure public safety today and tomorrow.
Throughout the week leading to the 30th anniversary, the police strategy aims to ease local residents' concerns through diligent patrolling of areas surrounding former Aum facilities. For the community, the commemorations remind them of the cost of terror, the need for public safety, and the strength of unity which remains their shield against the threat of similar groups seeking to rise again.
Settling on the right path after these reflective dialogues, the collective efforts of law enforcement and the public aim to hold fiercely onto the past's lessons, shaping their preparedness for the future and cultivating resilience against potential dangers posed by the echoes of Aum Shinrikyo’s legacy.
