26 Years Since Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack
Saturday marks 26 years since the deadly sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system by the Aum Shinrikyo cult.
Members of the cult released the toxic nerve agent inside morning rush-hour commuter trains on three lines in central Tokyo on March 20, 1995. Fourteen people were killed and about 6,300 others injured.
At Kasumigaseki subway station, which was targeted in the attack, station officials offered silent prayers at 8 a.m., almost the exact time of the attacks 26 years ago.
Survivors, bereaved relatives, and subway users offered flowers at an altar set up inside the station.
Takahashi Shizue's husband, who was the assistant stationmaster at Kasumigaseki, was killed in the attack. Takahashi said her grief and loneliness never fade.
She said she will make it her goal to ensure lessons learned from the attack are passed on, and she won't rest as long as offshoots of the cult remain active.
A man from the central prefecture of Shizuoka said the attack must never be forgotten.
Thirteen Aum Shinrikyo members, including leader Asahara Shoko, whose real name is Matsumoto Chizuo, were convicted and sentenced to death for crimes committed by the cult. All were executed in 2018.
The Public Security Intelligence Agency says multiple successor organizations are still active, and one of the groups, known as Aleph, has been trying to recruit young people.