Japan on Thursday marked the 30th anniversary of the nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system by the AUM Shinrikyo doomsday cult, with the relatives of the victims striving to keep alive the memory of the worst terrorist attack on Japanese soil. At Kasumigaseki Station in the Japanese capital, officials observed a moment of silence at around 8 a.m., the time when the deadly sarin nerve agent was released in train cars on March 20, 1995.
Shizue Takahashi, 78, who lost her husband, a deputy stationmaster at Kasumigaseki Station, in the attack, laid flowers at the site, expressing her pain and commitment to remembrance, stating, "It was a long 30 years. I don't want people to forget about the incident." The attack, carried out during the morning rush hour, involved the dispersion of sarin in five subway trains on Asahara's orders, resulting in 14 fatalities and injuries to over 6,000 individuals.
Despite the disbanding of AUM Shinrikyo and the execution of its founder Shoko Asahara along with 12 former senior members, successor groups continue to operate. The ongoing legacy of the attack is felt deeply, not only in the memory of those who died but also among survivors who continue to grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder and various health issues.
Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto, was involved in multiple murder convictions beyond the 1995 attack, including another sarin incident that took place in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, in 1994, which resulted in eight deaths and over 100 injuries. The cult’s infamous history includes the brutal murder of lawyer Tsutsumi Sakamoto, who was helping families break free from AUM, along with his wife and infant child in 1989.
AUM Shinrikyo went bankrupt in 1996, giving rise to several successor organizations such as Aleph and two splinter groups that continue to recruit followers. In an effort to educate the public and ensure that history does not repeat itself, the Public Security Intelligence Agency recently launched a digital archive that includes testimonials from victims' families and captures photographs of the controversial group leader.
The somber anniversary aligns with reflections on the societal impact of the sarin attack, which came just months after the Great Hanshin Earthquake and during a pivotal year for Japan. 1995 not only marked a turning point in Japan's post-World War II narrative but was also characterized by significant global events, including a rise in terrorism and violence. Amidst these upheavals, an era of new technology was dawning, with Microsoft’s Windows 95 transforming how people interacted with computers and the internet.
Today, the echoes of the AUM followers’ actions remain a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within society. In his reflection, author Haruki Murakami pointed out the urgency of addressing the roots of what drove young members of the cult to commit such heinous acts. His book "Yakusoku Sareta Basho de" (At the Designated Place), published three years after the attack, captures a generation's struggle with identity, belonging, and the searching for answers amidst the chaos.
Interviewing both current and former AUM members, Murakami aimed to unearth the psychological and social pressures that led young individuals to find solace within the cult's destructive ideology. He noted, "Where fundamental problems were concerned, I feared that nothing whatsoever had been resolved.” Many interviewees echoed sentiments of relief derived from the cult, claiming, “All the questions have been solved already,” indicating the potent allure of belonging for those feeling marginalized or lost.
As Japan commemorates the past, the conversation around how to prevent similar incidents in the future is critical. The lessons learned from the attack need active engagement, integrating education about cults and societal acceptance to dismantle the conditions that foster such environments. The fears expressed by Murakami resonate today, reminding us that unless steps are taken to address the issue proactively, society risks facing a resurgence of groups reminiscent of AUM Shinrikyo.
In remembering the victims of the March 20, 1995, attack, Japan not only honors those who suffered but also reflects on the pressing need for vigilance and understanding in the face of ideological extremism. The burden of remembrance weighs heavily, urging collective action to ensure a safer future.
