Hirata Makoto

(age 44, 183cm tall)

Arrest or confinement

resulting in death or injury

Violation of Explosive

Control Punishment Act

Katsuya Takahashi

(age 51, 173cm tall)

Murder, attempted murder

Arrest or confinement

resulting in death or injury

## (2) Promotion of Countermeasures for Aum Shinikyo

Three people on the NPA’s most wanted list, Makoto Hirata, Katsuya Takahashi, and Naoko Kikuchi are still on the run. The police are chasing these suspects through wide-spread cooperation with the people of Japan. In addition, the police are severely cracking down on illegal acts of organizations by the followers of Aum Shinrikyo. In 2009, one follower suspected of running a beauty parlor without a license was arrested for violation of the Cosmetologists Act, and police searched three other Aum Shinrikyo facilities, finding that they had gained customers as followers.

In order to prevent acts of indiscriminate murder from occurring again, the police, in cooperation with relevant organizations, are making efforts to clarify the status of Aum Shinrikyo. At the same time, upon the request of people living close to Aum Shinrikyo facilities and relevant local entities, the police have been implementing patrols and other security measures in order to protect the peaceful lives of residents.

### 2. Trends in Ultra-Leftist Violent Groups and Police Countermeasures

## (1) Trends in Ultra-Leftist Violent Groups

Naoko Kikuchi

(age 38, 159cm tall)

Murder, attempted murder

Ultra-leftist violent groups that aim for the realization of a communist society through a revolution by force regard current socio-economic situations as their opportunity to expand their organizations enhanced their involvement in labor movements and other activities by hiding their violent nature so as not to alarm their surroundings.

Kakumaru-ha $ ^{1} $ set up a network for the solidarity of workers, dealing with the establishment of an organization incorporating non-regular workers, young workers, workers not affiliated with labor unions by hiding their relation to the faction. It has also showed their intention to get involved in such highly notable labor or employment-related issues as the labor dispute initiated by ex-employees of a hotel in Tokyo and the temporary lodgings enabling the unemployed to spend their new year’s holidays.

Chukaku-ha $ ^{2} $ has worked on meetings and demonstrations requesting the Japanese government or Nippon Keidanren to secure employment as well as participated in labor disputes across Japan. It has also dispatched delegates to conventions hosted by overseas labor unions, deploying various international solidarity activities. The group has created its draft platform for the first time since its foundation to clarify its policy of a revolution based on violence as well as to emphasize its direction to engage in labor activism and international solidarity activities.

Kakurokyo Shuryu-ha $ ^{3} $ and Kakurokyo Han-Shuryu-ha $ ^{4} $ have worked on employment issues for day laborers, incorporating those workers into their respective projects of the Narita conflict and anti-war disputes. Kakurokyo Han-Shuryu-ha also implemented the attempted launch of improvised shells targeting the Yokota Base of the U.S. Air Force stationed in Japan in October 2009 and the attempted launch of improvised shells targeting the Atsugi Base of the U.S. Navy stationed in Japan in December 2009.