Episode 51 – Aum Shinrikyo

May 3, 2014 1 Comment

This week, we’re taking a look at the darkest incarnation of Japan’s new religions: the cult known as Aum Shinrikyo. We’ll discuss their background, philosophy, and the chain of events which led them to commit the deadliest terror attack in Japan’s history.

Listen to the episode here.

Sources

The Council on Foreign Relations report on Aum Shinrikyo.

The New York Times archive on Aum.

Images

The flag of Aum Shinrikyo. Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.
The flag of Aum Shinrikyo. Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.
Asahara Shoko being taken from the courtroom after his final death sentence was upheld in 2006. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Asahara Shoko being taken from the courtroom after his final death sentence was upheld in 2006. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Asahara Shoko "flying." Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.
Asahara Shoko “flying.” Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.
Endo Seiichi, the Aum biowarfare expert. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Endo Seiichi, the Aum biowarfare expert. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Japanese responders removing sarin residue after the attacks. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Japanese responders removing sarin residue after the attacks. Courtesy of Asahi Shinbun.
Anti-Aum Shinrikyo protesters in Tokyo. Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.
Anti-Aum Shinrikyo protesters in Tokyo. Courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation.

1 thought on “Episode 51 – Aum Shinrikyo”

  1. At one point you mentioned the US and Russia “used nerve agents in their stockpiles”. As someone who served, I took just a little umbrage to the term “used”. Yes, the US produced and stockpiled nerve agents, but they were never “used”. That term suggests their application, which the US has never done.

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