The 30th anniversary of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, perpetrated by Aum Shinrikyo, is a solemn reminder of a dark chapter in Japan's history. On March 20, 2025, the landmark event that resulted in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to over 6,300 will mark three decades since this shocking act of terrorism. Despite the passing years, echoes of this tragic incident persist, particularly as the cult's successor, Aleph, continues to pursue new followers and spread its doctrine, especially among the youth.
Aum Shinrikyo, founded in 1984 by Chizuo Matsumoto, better known as Shoko Asahara, once attracted around 10,000 followers who became devoted under his teachings, which included a combination of yoga, mysticism, and dire predictions of an impending apocalypse. The group's transformation from a yoga circle to a deadly religious cult culminated in the heinous act of releasing sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system. This act not only shocked Japan but the world, laying bare the dangers of cult indoctrination.
Current observations indicate that Aleph has not diminished its efforts in recruitment. According to the Public Security Intelligence Agency, the group now has around 1,450 followers in Japan, primarily targeting a younger generation largely unaware of the previous atrocities committed by Aum Shinrikyo. This targeting raises concerns among families affected by the cult, as parents witness their children being pulled into this dangerous ideology.
One individual, identified as Yamazaki, a father whose child was drawn into Aleph, shared his harrowing experience. He spoke of how the group used techniques akin to mind control, convincing followers that all information about the cult’s shady past was false. Yamazaki recounted the last conversation with his child, which ended in a tragic farewell: "In the last conversation, they said, 'This is goodbye for this life,' before leaving their home for the cult." Yamazaki's ongoing efforts to reach out to his child have been met with silence, yet he continues to send emails, expressing his desire to reconnect: "Every day I feel sorry that time stopped for us over ten years ago. I sincerely wish we could live together and share life once again."
Cases like Yamazaki’s are regrettably common. Another parent, referred to as Kondo, experienced a similar ordeal when his child, who knew little about Aum's violent past, announced that they were leaving to join Aleph. Despite Kondo's pleas and attempts to persuade them to reconsider, his child severed communication, reinforcing the cult's insistence on separation from family as part of its indoctrination strategy. Kondo lamented, "I told them, 'You have a home to return to,' but it seemed to have no effect."
Aleph's recruitment strategies involve creating bonds of trust through disguised activities, such as volunteering. A teenager named Ono, who initially sought to help others, found himself gradually entangled with the group. Individuals he thought were fellow volunteers guided him deeper into the cult through seemingly innocuous interactions and yoga classes, leading him to a facility where he was pressured to commit financially and ideologically. “The more time I spent with them, the more I was convinced that Aum was not evil at all,” Ono reflected.
These narratives illustrate a broader concern regarding Aleph's ability to conceal its identity while attracting new members through seemingly benign means. Experts, including Professor Nishida from Rissho University, point to the cult's structured efforts to sever emotional ties to family as a significant tool in maintaining control over its members. He noted, "The teachings suggest that a break from family is essential for their spiritual training, thus enabling the cult to lose their ties emotionally."
Further complicating the situation is the increasingly visible presence of conspiracy theories within the cult, as recounted by former senior member Yoshihiro Kamiizumi. In an exclusive interview, he expressed concern that deep-rooted paranoia within the cult influenced its turn to violence. "They believed they were fighting against a world bent on their destruction, leading to the decisions that culminated in the sarin attack," Kamiizumi explained. Such conspiracy-driven delusions enabled the cult to justify its violent actions, suggesting a cyclic danger that persists even today.
Since the tragic events of 1995, the Public Security Intelligence Agency has maintained surveillance on Aleph, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the group’s activities to prevent a repeat of past horrors. Despite measures to curb their operations—including the banning of several facilities across Japan—Aleph continues to find ways to operate under the radar. The agency recently reported a slight dip in membership, attributed to suspensions put in place by the Group Regulation Law, but vigilance remains critical.
As the anniversary of the subway attack draws near, the tragic stories of families affected by the cult's actions remind society that the impacts of Aum Shinrikyo’s violence are still felt today. Individuals like Yamazaki and Kondo face a daily struggle against the isolation imposed by cults while holding onto hope for a reunion with their loved ones. Yamazaki implored, "People must understand that the events surrounding Aum Shinrikyo are not just relics of the past, but a persistent threat that continues to infiltrate young lives today."
