Remembering The Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack After 30 Years

On March 20, 2025, Japan marks 30 years since the infamous Tokyo subway sarin attack orchestrated by the Aum Shinrikyo cult, a tragic event that claimed 14 lives and left over 6,000 injured. The somber anniversary has become a moment for reflection on the lasting repercussions faced by survivors and the families of victims, many of whom continue to grapple with serious aftereffects.

The attack occurred on a busy weekday morning in 1995 when members of Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas in several subway cars during rush hour. The chaos that followed led to unprecedented casualties and marked a turning point in Japan’s approach to terrorism and public safety. Even three decades later, numerous victims suffer lingering health issues from exposure to the highly toxic nerve agent.

The NPO Recovery Support Center, which has played a vital role in supporting victims and their families since the incident, is set to dissolve at the end of March 2025. This closure raises concerns about how the needs of aging victims will be met moving forward. Many are now calling for continued advocacy and support as the number of victims and families dwindles due to age-related issues.

Shoko Asahara, the cult's founder who was executed in 2018 under the real name Chizuo Matsumoto, masterminded the attack, using a twisted ideology that included a doctrine promoting murder as a way to achieve a greater spiritual state. Asahara's orders played a critical role in mobilizing his followers to commit violence.

The attack had significant legal repercussions. Following the tragedy, a total of 13 Aum Shinrikyo executives, including Asahara, received death sentences, reflecting the Japanese government’s response to the severity of the crime. The Modus operandi and ideology of Aum called for an urgent reassessment of how religious organizations could operate within Japan, leading to new legal frameworks that aimed to prevent similar threats in the future.

In a continuing battle against extremism, today’s adherents of Aum have split into various factions, with three primary groups identified: Aleph, Hikari no Wa, and the Yamada group, together boasting about 1,600 members across Japan. The existence and legal status of these organizations remain a cause of concern, as they maintain dangerous beliefs, including justifications for murder under the guise of spiritual fulfillment.

To address these concerns, the Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA) has observed the successor groups under the Group Regulation Law, enacted in 1999 to regulate groups involved in mass murder. Recently, the PSIA launched a special webpage featuring a digital archive on the Aum Shinrikyo issue as part of a renewed effort to educate younger generations who may not have firsthand knowledge of the events. PSIA official Yoshikazu Ichikawa noted, "The digital archive was designed to attract young audiences and draw their attention to the continuing relevance of these extremist groups."

Asahara’s teachings, particularly the doctrine of Tantra Vajrayana, which rationalizes acts of violence, still resonate among certain followers. The agency emphasizes that despite the absence of capabilities to produce sarin, the groups pose ongoing threats given their historical connections to psychological manipulation and potential for violence.

Recent developments reveal that Aleph is facing scrutiny over its financial transparency. Reports indicate that the group had declared only a fraction of its assets—approximately 8 million yen—despite indications from the PSIA that they may have closer to 700 million yen. Speculations suggest an attempt to hide assets to evade financial liabilities related to victims compensation, particularly against a backdrop where lingering remnants of responsibility for the subway attack still loom large.

Furthermore, the PSIA regularly conducts inspections of these cults, although Aleph has exhibited resistance, often leading to tense confrontations between inspectors and group members. Ichikawa elaborated on this, stating, "During inspections, Aleph members display uncooperative behavior, sometimes resorting to aggressive tactics, which underscores the challenge of monitoring these organizations effectively amid growing aggression.”

In the families of the victims, recollections and campaigns push forward against the threats of amnesia. Takashi Takahashi, who lost her husband, Kazuo, in the attack, recounted her grief and determination, stating, "I don’t want it to happen again." This sentiment is echoed among the victim support groups who aim to ensure that the events remain in public memory and are adequately addressed in future public safety policies.

As the anniversary unfolds, initiatives such as the launch of the digital archive stand as pivotal reminders. They signify a communal effort not only to honor those who perished but also to safeguard future generations from the ideologies and extremism that led to such violent acts. The PSIA’s vigilance highlights the importance of remaining aware of and vigilant against such extremist ideologies that, while currently dormant, could potentially resurface.

As observers note the continued influence of Aum's legacy, both in terms of its teachings and the organization’s fragmented existence, it becomes ever more imperative that the lessons of its past are integrated into contemporary discourse. The mission to prevent recurrence continues, guided by memories of loss, resilience, and hope for a peaceful future.