A major milestone has been reached regarding cases that were unprecedented in the history of Japanese crime, even aiming to destroy the nation itself. Heinous acts such as indiscriminate terrorist attacks must not be allowed to happen again.
Death-row inmate Chizuo Matsumoto, who founded the Aum Supreme Truth cult and masterminded a series of incidents perpetrated by the group, has been executed. The executions of six other inmates, who were senior members of the cult, were also carried out on the same day.
In relation to the series of incidents, death sentences have been finalized for 13 people in total. The Justice Ministry took action to execute more than half of these inmates at once. This itself illustrates the severity of the cases.
'Heinous' crimes
An array of incidents -- including the murder of lawyer Tsutsumi Sakamoto and his family members and sarin gas attacks in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and then the Tokyo subway system -- claimed the lives of 29 people and left more than 6,500 injured. In relation to the incidents, 190 people connected to the cult were convicted.
As the last of the Aum trials ended in January, there was growing speculation that the conditions for executing the inmates on death row have been met. The Criminal Procedure Code stipulates that executions should be carried out within six months after death sentences are finalized. Nearly 12 years have passed since Matsumoto's death penalty was finalized.
At a press conference after the executions, Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa offered the reason for ordering the executions, saying, "A series of crimes, including two indiscriminate terrorist attacks, were organized and planned, and they were extremely heinous and serious."
It can be said that Kamikawa solemnly fulfilled the grave responsibility imposed on a justice minister.
In March, the Justice Ministry transferred some of the 13 death row inmates, who had been held at the Tokyo Detention House, to other detention houses. This indicates that their executions were carried out after thorough preparations.
Needless to say, the death penalty is the ultimate punishment. Kamikawa stressed, "I ordered the executions after thorough and careful consideration." It is important to firmly maintain this stance.
Victims still suffer
Matsumoto launched Aum Shinsen no Kai, the predecessor of Aum Supreme Truth, in 1984, and the cult became an incorporated religious body in 1989. At one time, it had more than 10,000 followers, including those overseas.
Young followers, who joined Aum seeking salvation, became devoted to the cult and engaged in what they called "poa," the killing of those who opposed the cult. Many of the cult's senior members who led such incidents were highly educated young people.
It is striking that Tomomasa Nakagawa, one of the death row convicts executed this time, said in a court hearing, "I didn't leave the secular world to produce sarin gas or strangle people to death."
It took about eight years to complete the first trial of Matsumoto alone. Nevertheless, Matsumoto made little mention about how he as the cult's guru brainwashed his followers into committing various incidents. The darkness of the cult has thus been left unelucidated.
The 1995 sarin nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway system marked the first large-scale incident of chemical terrorism in Japan. The incident sent shock waves throughout the world.
Victims have continued to suffer the aftereffects of the sarin attacks.
According to a survey conducted three years ago by a group supporting the victims of the sarin attacks, 70 percent of the victims complained about eye abnormalities. More than a few victims still suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.
Shizue Takahashi, who lost her husband who was a deputy stationmaster in the subway system, said: "I feel very frustrated when considering that my life has been affected by Aum. The executions marked the end of one chapter." Her feeling could be shared by many other victims. It is essential to continue support for the victims.
In the wake of the sarin attacks, a law controlling organizations that have committed indiscriminate mass murder was enacted. The law has made it possible to put groups that could recommit acts of indiscriminate terrorism under surveillance.
Special task forces to deal with nuclear, biological and chemical terrorist attacks have been set up in the Metropolitan Police Department and eight prefectural police departments. Other security functions, including the Special Assault Team (SAT), have also been expanded.
Ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, all possible antiterrorism measures should be taken.
Aum followers have continued their activities in the guise of three different organizations, such as Aleph, the direct successor of Aum, and Hikari no Wa headed by Fumihiro Joyu, a former senior Aum member. The three organizations have more than 1,600 followers altogether. They have been put under surveillance based on the law.
Close watch vital
According to the Public Security Intelligence Agency, cult followers are still believers in Matsumoto and have been propagating the cult's doctrine. They solicit new members by pretending to be groups for practicing yoga and other activities. They are said to be increasing their memberships by targeting mainly young people who are unaware of the series of incidents caused by Aum.
The combined assets held by the three organizations exceed 1 billion yen, more than double the figure recorded five years ago.
There is concern that Matsumoto will be deified in the wake of his execution and this will lead to his followers' activities becoming more radical. It is crucial to continue close monitoring of their activities.
An era has come in which cultish and fanatical thinking propagates more easily via the internet.
A second Aum should never be allowed to emerge. It is more important than anything else for society as a whole to share this recognition.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2018)
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