Japan Executes Cult Leader Behind 1995 Sarin Gas Subway Attack

New York Times ^ | 07/06/2018 | Austin Ramzy

[SeekAndFind]

The leader of a cult in Japan whose followers released deadly gas in the Tokyo subway in 1995, killing 13 people and injuring thousands, was executed Friday.

The cult leader, Shoko Asahara, was one of 13 people sentenced to death in connection with the attack and other killings carried out by the group, Aum Shinrikyo. He was hanged Friday morning along with six followers, Japan’s Justice Ministry said.

Japan, which generally reserves capital punishment for people convicted of multiple homicides, usually executes a handful of people each year. The date of executions is not announced in advance, and the condemned are usually only told a few hours beforehand.

But the executions of Mr. Asahara and his followers had been expected since January, when Japan’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the last member of Aum Shinrikyo to stand trial.

Members of the cult carried bags of sarin gas onto five crowded trains on three subway lines during the morning rush hour on March 20, 1995. The attack shocked Japan and undercut the country’s image as a safe and orderly nation.

The cult struck at a difficult time for Japan, coming during a period of painful economic stagnation and just months after an earthquake in the city of Kobe killed more than 6,000 people.

[Vigilanteman]

I'm not sure if it is that or if they just don't care to have the lefties coming down to the jailhouse to protest, hold candlelight vigils and all that nonsense as if murderers are somehow heroes.

Support for capital punishment is somewhere between 70% and 80% in Japan, but they do have their lefty lunatic fringe as well.

The announcement is usually a day or so after the fact pretty much simultaneously to when the next of kin are contacted to come down to the hoosegow and collect their personal effects and (if so arranged) their cremated remains.

[elbook]

far too long.

did they have to wait for japanese law to change or some thing like that ?

[jocon307]

Good on Japan for this!