Survivors still seek justice from deadly Tokyo subway sarin attack
- On March 20, 1995, the Tokyo subway was attacked with sarin gas, resulting in 12 immediate fatalities and thousands affected.
- Aum Shinrikyo cult members executed this attack, leading to global awareness of the dangers posed by cults.
- Thirty years later, victims' families are still pursuing justice and support from the government.
On March 20, 1995, Japan experienced a devastating sarin nerve gas attack in the Tokyo subway system, orchestrated by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult. During the rush hour, five cult members dispersed bags containing the deadly gas across three crowded train lines converging at Kasumigaseki, Japan's government center. The attack resulted in the immediate deaths of 12 people and left over 5,000 others ill, with a 13th victim succumbing the following day and a 14th victim dying in 2008. Survivors described the panic as people gasped for air and collapsed, highlighting the chaos that ensued as the toxic gas spread through the subway cars. After a lengthy investigation, the cult's leader, Shoko Asahara, and several members were identified and ultimately held accountable, with executions carried out in 2018. The attack has left lasting scars, with families of victims and survivors continuing to seek justice and support from the government thirty years later, battling against a legacy of fear and tragedy. The incident raised profound concerns about cult activities in Japan, as members of Aum Shinrikyo had previously committed numerous violent acts before the subway attack was executed. To this day, about 1,600 members affiliated with Aum's successors remain active, prompting urgent calls from victims' families and advocates for enhanced measures to protect society from similar threats. The demand for justice underscores the importance of education regarding dangerous cults, focusing on how these organizations attract followers and ruin lives, as highlighted by journalists and experts on the crimes of Aum Shinrikyo.