On March 20, 2025, Japan commemorates the 30th anniversary of the notorious Tokyo subway sarin attack, a tragedy carried out by the Aum Shinrikyo cult that resulted in 14 deaths and left around 6,300 injured. This momentous occasion serves as a solemn reminder not only of the horror of the attack but also the need to ensure such an atrocity does not happen again.
At 8:22 AM on the anniversary, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Nakano, alongside other ministry officials, visited the Kasumigaseki Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, where a memorial pillar has been established. They offered flowers and paused for a silent prayer to honor the victims. "No matter how much time passes, I still feel anger and deep sadness about the brutality of the event," Nakano stated, emphasizing the collective mourning of a nation that continues to feel the effects of that grim day.
Reflecting on the act of terrorism, he added, "We must continue to ensure the safety of transportation." This commitment comes as Japan enhances security protocols, considering recent global trends of violence and terrorism. Nakano mentioned the plans to mandate the installation of surveillance cameras on new railway vehicles to bolster safety measures within public transport systems.
The attack, executed by Aum Shinrikyo members, was an unprecedented event that sent shockwaves through Japan. On that fateful day in 1995, cult members released sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system during rush hour, targeting trains on three lines. Many commuters found themselves engulfed in chaos as poison spread through the air, leading to mass panic and suffering.
At Chiyoda-ku's Kodenmachō Station, which bore the brunt of the assault with the highest number of injuries, survivors gathered to pay their respects. Among them was Morinaga Ikuko, who at 22 years old found herself directly in the path of the attack. “Even now, people are suffering from the aftereffects,” she reflected, recalling how she was diagnosed with sarin poisoning and hospitalized for four days after the attack. During her visit to both Kasumigaseki and Kodenmachō Stations on the anniversary, she placed flowers and took a moment to remember those who lost their lives.
The memory of the Aum Shinrikyo cult and the subsequent attack is preserved through memorials and the collective memory of the public. However, as time wades on, there are concerns that the significance of the event may fade into history. A prominent figure in the fight against the cult, former district chief Koichi Kumagai, who led the community's efforts for safety, passed away in November 2024 at the age of 99. His daughter expressed the ongoing pain felt by victims and their families: “Even now, people are suffering due to the aftermath of that day. We must convey to future generations what this community endured.”
Earlier chapters of this events' narrative trace back to Aum Shinrikyo’s emergence in the 1980s, originally appearing as a yoga group under the guise of a religion. However, by the early 1990s, it escalated towards a cult-like organization under the influence of its leader, Shoko Asahara. Cult members became increasingly radicalized, leading to various criminal activities, including abductions, murders, and eventually the subway attack, which remains a black mark in Japan's history.
In the wake of the incident, efforts have been made to dismantle the remnants of Aum's influence, with many of its facilities destroyed by 1996. Today, the sites that once harbored the cult’s activities, such as the original Fuji Headquarters in Fujinomiya, have been transformed into memorials or completely erased, much to the relief of local communities.
However, the legacy of fear has not disappeared entirely. Many residents recall the disruption caused by the cult as they marched through towns in their distinctive white robes, their headgear marking their allegiance. The sound of their chants echoed through the streets, a ghost of pain woven into the fabric of the community.
This poignant anniversary shines a light on the critical importance of memory in a society that has faced such haunting violence. As authorities assess the ongoing repercussions of the Aum Shinrikyo incident, the call for sustained vigilance echoes loudly, reminding us that while society has made strides towards security, the specter of past horrors lingers, urging a new commitment to peace and safety.
As Japan reflects on the fallout from this catastrophic event, it is essential to remember those who perished and support their families. As Minister Nakano said, "The despicable terrorist act aimed at railways, which serve so many, is unforgivable," emphasizing the nation's resolve in preserving the memories and lessons learned from that dark chapter in history. The ongoing dialogues fostered by such commemorations will ensure that the memory of the subway sarin attack will not fade but serve as a catalyst for change and a deterrent against future violence.
