1980s Japan was a time of rapid economic growth, but also profound societal changes. A new wave of young people embraced the punk subculture, while other disillusioned youth gravitated toward more extreme forms of activism. One such group, Aum Shinrikyo (also known as Aum Shinnikyo), formed in 1987 and was led by Shoko Asahara. Asahara had a charismatic personality and promised to provide followers with spiritual guidance that would help them navigate the difficulties of modern life. However, he also preached apocalyptic visions based on his interpretation of Buddhist teachings. This mixture of spirituality and violence eventually led him and his followers into the realm of terrorism. On March 20th, 1995, members of Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system during morning rush hour. The attack was carried out using plastic bags filled with the liquid form of the nerve agent that were left in strategic locations throughout the system. These bags ruptured when a sensor detected the presence of the chemical inside them, releasing their contents into the air and contaminating those nearby. The attack killed 13 people and injured over 5000 others. Many victims suffered permanent damage to their respiratory systems from inhaling the gas. Those who survived experienced severe nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing for hours after exposure. Authorities were able to quickly identify some of the suspects due to security camera footage showing them placing bags around Tokyo earlier that morning. Police also found evidence linking the group back to previous incidents involving biological toxins such as anthrax spores distributed among residents of Matsumoto City in 1994. In response, law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt across Japan resulting in the capture of several key members including Asahara himself who was later sentenced to death by hanging for his role in planning and ordering both attacks. Today marks thirty years since this horrific act occurred. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly peaceful religions can turn violent when put into the wrong hands. The world has come together multiple times before to condemn such atrocities but we must never forget what happened nor stop trying to prevent future occurrences like these from happening again.

1980s Japan was a time of rapid economic growth, but also profound societal changes. A new wave of young people embraced the punk subculture, while other disillusioned youth gravitated toward more extreme forms of activism. One such group, Aum Shinrikyo (also known as Aum Shinnikyo), formed in 1987 and was led by Shoko Asahara. Asahara had a charismatic personality and promised to provide followers with spiritual guidance that would help them navigate the difficulties of modern life. However, he also preached apocalyptic visions based on his interpretation of Buddhist teachings. This mixture of spirituality and violence eventually led him and his followers into the realm of terrorism. On March 20th, 1995, members of Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas into the Tokyo subway system during morning rush hour. The attack was carried out using plastic bags filled with the liquid form of the nerve agent that were left in strategic locations throughout the system. These bags ruptured when a sensor detected the presence of the chemical inside them, releasing their contents into the air and contaminating those nearby. The attack killed 13 people and injured over 5000 others. Many victims suffered permanent damage to their respiratory systems from inhaling the gas. Those who survived experienced severe nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing for hours after exposure. Authorities were able to quickly identify some of the suspects due to security camera footage showing them placing bags around Tokyo earlier that morning. Police also found evidence linking the group back to previous incidents involving biological toxins such as anthrax spores distributed among residents of Matsumoto City in 1994. In response, law enforcement launched an extensive manhunt across Japan resulting in the capture of several key members including Asahara himself who was later sentenced to death by hanging for his role in planning and ordering both attacks. Today marks thirty years since this horrific act occurred. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly peaceful religions can turn violent when put into the wrong hands. The world has come together multiple times before to condemn such atrocities but we must never forget what happened nor stop trying to prevent future occurrences like these from happening again.