Subway workers, bereaved families mark 12th anniversary of AUM gas attacks

Tokyo Metro workers and bereaved family members gathered at six stations on Tuesday, the 12th anniversary of the AUM Shinrikyo cult’s deadly gas attacks on the Tokyo subway, to remember the 12 people who died and more than 5,500 who were injured in the attacks.

At Kasumigaseki Station in Tokyo’s Chiyoda-ku, 17 station workers held a moment of silence at 8 a.m. and laid down white lilies and chrysanthemums for the victims.

After the flowers were presented, a 55-year-old station official gave a message, saying, “We pray for the souls of the victims and pray that those who are receiving treatment will recover as soon as possible.”

Among the victims were 50-year-old Tokyo Metro worker Kazumasa Takahashi. Takahashi’s bereaved wife Shizue appeared to pay her respects at about 10:30 a.m.

“I can’t erase the fact that my husband has died,” she said, strongly requesting that the government provide support measures for victims and that AUM, which has since changed its name to Aleph, apologize for the attacks and pay compensation.

On March 8, Aleph’s former representative, 44-year-old Fumihiro Joyu, officially announced that he would leave AUM and form his own group. (Mainichi)

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