Shoko Asahara
Many of the remaining followers of Aum Shinrikyo founder and convicted terrorist Shoko Asahara formed Aleph in 2000. Despite Hikari no Wa publicizing the intention of "completely discarding the influence of Aum founder Shoko Asahara", the Japanese Public Security Intelligence Agency said the group will remain subject to surveillance under the law. Japan's Public Security Examination Commission considers Aleph and Hikari no Wa to be branches of a "dangerous religion" and announced in January 2015 that they would remain under surveillance for three more years.