The name Aleph (アレフ), perhaps more widely recognized by its former designation, Aum Shinrikyo (オウム真理教, meaning 'Supreme Truth'), conjures images of one of Japan's most chilling domestic terrorist acts. This Japanese doomsday cult, founded by the charismatic but ultimately destructive figure Shoko Asahara in 1987, rapidly evolved from a spiritual group into an organization responsible for widespread suffering and death.

The Rise and Terror of Aum Shinrikyo

Initially attracting followers with a blend of Buddhist and Hindu spiritual teachings, interwoven with apocalyptic prophecies, Aum Shinrikyo began to take a darker turn in the early 1990s. Asahara increasingly emphasized a belief in an impending Armageddon, often suggesting the cult needed to precipitate it or defend itself against external threats. This radicalization led to a series of increasingly violent acts, meticulously planned and executed by its members.

The Matsumoto Sarin Attack (1994)

The first major public manifestation of Aum's lethal capabilities came in June 1994 with the Matsumoto sarin attack. Nine months before the infamous Tokyo incident, members of the cult released sarin nerve agent in a residential area of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. This attack, which killed eight people and injured over 500, served as a horrifying precursor, demonstrating Aum Shinrikyo's willingness to use chemical weapons against civilians and their increasing detachment from societal norms. The group later claimed that these attacks were carried out secretly, without the full knowledge of all executives or ordinary believers, with Asahara himself broadcasting from Russia to insist upon his innocence – a claim widely dismissed by authorities.

The Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack (1995) – A Nation in Shock

The morning of March 20, 1995, etched itself into Japan's collective memory forever. In a meticulously planned act of domestic terrorism known as the Tokyo subway sarin attack (地下鉄サリン事件, Chikatetsu Sarin Jiken), members of Aum Shinrikyo simultaneously released liquid sarin on three lines of the Tokyo Metro during the peak of rush hour. The target was specifically chosen for its proximity to Japan's political heart, including the Diet (parliament) buildings in Kasumigaseki and Nagatach. This coordinated assault resulted in the deaths of 14 people, left 50 severely injured with long-term consequences, and caused temporary vision problems for nearly 1,000 others. The sheer audacity and brutality of the attack sent shockwaves not only through Japan but across the globe, as such an act of chemical terrorism was virtually unprecedented in a developed nation. It exposed the vulnerability of urban centers to highly organized, ideologically driven groups and forced Japan, a nation unaccustomed to such domestic terror, to confront a new reality.

It was later revealed that Shoko Asahara had been made aware of an impending police raid, scheduled for March 22, and had orchestrated the subway attack as a desperate attempt to hinder investigations into the cult and, perhaps, to spark the apocalyptic event he so fervently preached, or even initiate a Third World War. Beyond sarin, the cult had also produced other nerve agents like VX and attempted bioterrorism with botulinum toxin.

The Aftermath: Justice and Lingering Shadows

Raids, Arrests, and Executions

In the wake of the subway attack, an extensive police crackdown ensued throughout the spring and summer of 1995. Over 200 members of Aum Shinrikyo were arrested, including its supreme leader, Shoko Asahara. The subsequent trials were long and complex, culminating in death sentences for Asahara and twelve other senior members of the cult's management, with many others receiving lengthy prison terms, including life sentences. After exhausting all appeals, the final chapter for these perpetrators closed in 2018: Asahara and six followers were executed on July 6, with the remaining six on death row following on July 26. This mass execution, the largest in modern Japanese history for a single group, marked a somber conclusion to the legal proceedings surrounding Japan's deadliest terrorist incident.

Successor Groups and Ongoing Surveillance

Despite the dismantling of its leadership and the severe blow to its operations, Aum Shinrikyo did not entirely vanish. In 2007, the organization formally split into two successor groups: Aleph and Hikari no Wa (光の輪, 'Circle of Light'). Both groups claim to have renounced Asahara's teachings and violent past, yet they remain a source of significant concern for authorities. The Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA) in Japan has consistently considered both Aleph and Hikari no Wa to be branches of a "dangerous religion." Consequently, they have been kept under continuous surveillance. While the Tokyo District Court initially canceled the extension of surveillance for Hikari no Wa in 2017 after legal challenges, the government appealed. In February 2019, the Tokyo High Court overturned the lower court's decision, reinstating surveillance on Hikari no Wa, citing no major changes in their fundamental nature from Aum Shinrikyo. Aleph has remained under watch without interruption. Internationally, the original Aum Shinrikyo had already been formally designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, and the European Union, highlighting the global impact and perception of its heinous acts.

A Lingering Echo: The New Year's Day 2019 Attack

The dark legacy of Aum Shinrikyo resurfaced in a shocking incident on New Year's Day 2019. At 12:10 am, on Takeshita Street in Tokyo, a popular hub for youth culture, a car was deliberately driven into crowds celebrating the new year. At least nine people were injured, one seriously. Local police swiftly arrested Kazuhiro Kusakabe, the suspected driver, who allegedly admitted to intentionally ramming his vehicle into the crowds to protest his opposition to the death penalty. Crucially, he specified that his act was in retaliation for the executions of the aforementioned Aum Shinrikyo cult members. This event underscored how the shadow of Aum Shinrikyo and its leaders' ultimate fate continued to influence extremist actions in Japan, even years after the initial terror.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aum Shinrikyo / Aleph

Who was Shoko Asahara?

Shoko Asahara (born Chizuo Matsumoto) was the founder and leader of the Japanese doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo. He was a charismatic figure who blended elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and apocalyptic prophecies, ultimately leading his followers to commit acts of terrorism, including the deadly Tokyo subway sarin attack. He was executed in 2018 for his role in these crimes.

What was Aum Shinrikyo?

Aum Shinrikyo, later known as Aleph, was a Japanese doomsday cult founded in 1987. It gained notoriety for its involvement in serious crimes, particularly the 1994 Matsumoto sarin attack and the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, which utilized nerve agents. The group's ideology centered around a belief in an impending apocalypse and a radical interpretation of spiritual teachings.

What was the Tokyo subway sarin attack?

The Tokyo subway sarin attack was a coordinated act of chemical terrorism perpetrated by members of Aum Shinrikyo on March 20, 1995. During morning rush hour, sarin nerve agent was released on multiple subway lines in Tokyo, killing 14 people, severely injuring 50, and causing temporary harm to nearly 1,000 others. It remains Japan's deadliest act of domestic terrorism.

Are Aum Shinrikyo's successor groups still active?

Yes, the successor groups, primarily Aleph and Hikari no Wa, are still active in Japan. They are under continuous surveillance by the Public Security Intelligence Agency due to concerns about their potential danger and their historical ties to Aum Shinrikyo. While they claim to have renounced violence, authorities remain vigilant.

When were the Aum Shinrikyo cult leaders executed?

The leader, Shoko Asahara, and six of his followers were executed on July 6, 2018. The remaining six members on death row were executed on July 26, 2018. These executions followed years of appeals and trials related to their involvement in the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack and other heinous crimes.