TOKYO - Photos of cult founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto and who was executed for his role in the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, are being displayed alongside childhood pictures of his son in facilities linked to Aleph, the successor group to Aum Shinrikyo, according to findings by the Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA).
Although Aum Shinrikyo was disbanded nearly 29 years ago following its responsibility for multiple deadly terror attacks, several successor groups remain active. Aleph is considered the largest of these organizations. Its facilities, which outwardly resemble ordinary houses, are closely monitored, with surveillance cameras installed at entrances.
A PSIA inspection at an Aleph facility in Yokohama in May 2025 confirmed that photos of Asahara and his young son were displayed side by side. The son, now 31, was previously interviewed by FNN 11 years ago along with relatives, when he stated, "I think of myself as your younger brother, so I will talk as family, but I will not talk with the media."
The PSIA has disclosed that the son refers to himself as the group’s second leader, and the Public Security Examination Commission has since identified him as an Aleph officer. At another facility in Yashio, Saitama Prefecture, authorities found a shrine with Asahara’s image displayed, while additional materials tied to him have been discovered at other sites, underscoring his lingering influence.
PSIA official Satoshi Onodera stressed that Aleph continues to treat Asahara and his teachings as absolute. "From that perspective, the danger of engaging in indiscriminate mass killings has not changed at all. Given this, the actions of the son, named by Asahara as his successor, must be watched extremely carefully," he said.
The commission has also concluded that Aleph’s refusal to compensate victims of the Aum attacks stems from policy decisions made by the son in his capacity as a senior officer.
Source: FNN
