Japan Today, May 1, 2003
http://www.japantoday.com/

GIFU — Some 300 Gifu prefectural police on Thursday began searching the vehicles of a cult group that has blocked a mountain road for days, draped white sheets from the trees and accused leftists of trying to harm its members with electromagnetic waves.

Members of the group, which calls itself Panawave Laboratory, started to leave the area around 6:50 p.m. after moving luggage from their tents to about 15 cars and vans. At around 3:30 p.m. the police ordered the group to move 10 of the vehicles, which were violating parking regulations and obstructing traffic.

The group took over the road in western Gifu last week, saying it was fleeing persecution.

The 30 people in the caravan had refused to move until the end of this week, saying they were caring for a gravely ill woman who is believed to be their guru.

The group draped the trees in white cloth, claiming it neutralizes the effects of harmful electromagnetic waves.

About 300 police surrounded the group and began searching their vehicles, but no arrests were made Thursday.

A Panawave spokesman said the caravan was protecting Yuko Chino, 69, a self-proclaimed prophet who preaches a blend of Christianity, Buddhism and New Age doctrines.

According to the group’s literature, Chino believes that a 10th planet is moving closer to the earth and will cause “cataclysmic” changes this summer.

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