Statement
The death sentence for the founder of the Aum cult, Chizuo Matsumoto (morecommonly known by the alias, Shoko Asahara) was confirmed today.
It was the world’s first trial of the leader of a destructive cult that committed
serious crimes, and the trial’s developments had attracted worldwide attention. It
is extremely regrettable that the sentence was confirmed due to the technicality
issue, because the defense counsel has failed to submit the appeal prospectus within
the designated time limit.
However, it must be noted that, Matsumoto did make his followers to carry out
actions which resulted in more than 30 deaths between 1988 and 1995. He was themastermind for the production and the use of sarin gas, a deadly chemical agent,
which was the tool for indiscriminate mass murder. His deeds have plunged theJapanese society into fear, and the whole world was shocked. Therefore, it is only
just that Matsumoto be punished severely.
Matsumoto is also responsible for the fate of the followers. To satisfy hispersonal desires, he made his followers to engage in many serious crimes, which thefollowers were sentenced severely, including twelve death sentences. One of these
death sentences has already been confirmed by exhausting the appeal and the othercases are still undergoing the appellate process. This is the unique responsibilityof the leader of a destructive cult.
The Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery (JSCPR) strongly
requests that the death sentences should be commuted, and for the confirmed cases,that the cabinet should issue a pardon for commutation. In any case, they should
not be executed.
Even the supporters of the death penalty agree that the death penalty should
only be given to extreme cases after careful scrutiny of the mitigating circumstances.
We believe that it will do more harm than good to execute the 12 followers ofMatsumoto.
The members of the JSCPR, has met many incarcerated Aum members in andout of prison, at court, in various capacities, such as witness, expert witness, expert,
victim or just as another caring human being. This experience has made us reachthe firm convictions as written below.
Matsumoto was everything and meant more than God to the defendants. He
assessed the "karma" for all existences and ruled over previous and after lives.
The defendants committed religious murders as “practices of Mahamudler" or"relief of Vagirayana" as instructed by Matsumoto.
The defendants had no criminal records or criminal proclivities before theyjoined the Aum, and none of them were aware that they would be involved in crime
when they joined the Aum. That is clear to all of those who were involved in thecase, including even the panel of judges at the Tokyo District Court, that handled
the case of Yasuo Hayashi, who was charged with the murder of 8 people byreleasing sarin gas. The panel mentioned in it’s verdict that “Nothing is morepathetic than choosing a wrong mentor, and in that sense, it can be said that thedefendant was also met with hard luck and misfortune.”
We believe that death sentences and the execution of these 12 followers forcrimes committed under the order of their absolute Guru Matsumoto are totallyunjust.
The 12 followers have committed the crimes including mass murder only as aresult of the mechanisms of mind control and brainwashing based on accumulateduse of sophisticated psychological manipulation techniques as well as LSD andstimulant drugs by the Guru. This clearly exhibits Aum’s character as a
destructive cult. Therefore, as being released from the Guru’s mind control, theex-members find themselves totally lost, and then, fall into the abyss of self-disgust
for what they have done. Even for those few defendants who are yet to be released
from the the Guru’s mind control, it is highly probable that the day will come when
they will face the fact. What on earth can be gained from sentencing these 12people to die?
Instead, these 12 people should be treated as living witnesses who will help
people comprehend the true nature of the Aum as a destructive cult. While wecannot expect the Guru Matsumoto to speak a word about the motivation for his
acts and deeds, it is critically important to listen to what these 12 people have to say.
The detailed testimony and statements made as they repeatedly reflect upon theirown experiences including their relationship with the Guru Matsumoto, areextremely important for us in elucidating the Aum case as a whole.
The reality of mind control and brainwashing was not clarified through thecourt proceedings of the Guru Matsumoto himself. Had such reality be clarified in
the court proceedings, the prosecutors would fail or would have failed to justify theirdemands for death penalty. For the defense counsel of the Guru Matsumoto also,clarifying such reality simply meant an added disadvantage that Matsumoto’s
severe responsibility for the crimes in question would have been articulated more
firmly. Finding the truth regarding Matsumoto’s responsibility will remain
incomplete until the 12 defendants will speak out each and every detail of theirexperiences and thoughts as they live through their remaining lives.
For the purpose of preventing recurrence of the diabolical criminal acts by adestructive cult in Japan or in any part of the world, facts and truth of the Aum casemust be thoroughly studied, clarified, as well as understood widely.
In addition, it is crucial to have the 12 defendants to be alive and speak to theremaining followers of the Guru Matsumoto. Some of the 12 defendants have beentrying hard to send messages from their detention cells in their efforts to persuade
the current Aum members retaining their faith in the Guru to leave the group, andin fact, their efforts have been proven successful. Furthermore, if those defendants
who are remaining under some control of the Guru Matsumoto are executed, thecurrent Aum members will treat them as martyrs i.e. the objects of veneration. In
other words, executing them will strengthen the conviction and faith among thecurrent followers, and as a result, will prolong the Aum’s existence.
Furthermore, executing the 12 will be an outright demonstration ofincomprehension by the Japanese judiciary and judicature of the true nature ofdestructive cults, and will leave the source of a calamity for the future generations.
It is Matsumoto’s desire to have the 12 defendants to be executed, and to havethem follow him to the end of their lives. Executing the 12, therefore, equate to
making the Guru’s wish to come true.
Based on the reasons stated above, at this juncture of Matsumoto’s death
sentence being confirmed, JSCPR herein reiterate its requests that the 12defendants will not be sentenced to die nor executed. We strongly believe that forthese 12 people, commutation of sentences under an amnesty should be given, andexecution should never be carried out.

September 15, 2006
The Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery
Taidou Kusuyama
Representative Director
Minister of Justice,

Our association consists of approximately 130 people, including psychologists,
members of religious organizations, clinical psychologists, lawyers, psychiatrists,
religion sociologists, counselors, and former members and families of the "Peoplewith Things to Discuss and Argue" group. We have studied various issues related
to cult-related problems and given information on counseling for members ofdestructive cults and their families. We have also taken preventative action suchas giving out brochures, making videos, and publishing books, as well as holding a
training lecture and an open lecture. We submitted “A Written Request for theSupport of Former Aum Cult Members” on February 1, 2000 and gave "AStatement to Object the Death Penalty for the Aum Defendants" on April 7, 2005.
This association was formerly known as the Japan Freedom from Cults Association,
established in June 1995.