Aleph Cult Suspected of Concealing Assets to Evade Compensation Payments

According to a recent investigative report from Japan's Public Security Intelligence Agency, Aleph, the successor organization of the Aum Supreme Truth cult, has been implicated in transferring financial assets to affiliated companies as a means of concealing them. This revelation emerged from findings documented by the agency, which were reviewed and confirmed by The Yomiuri Shimbun.

Aleph reportedly utilized financial methods such as extending substantial loans to businesses whose representatives or management have direct connections to the organization. The entities tied to Aleph involved senior members or followers of the group as their executives, representatives, or primary shareholders, and have headquarters coincidentally located at the same addresses as Aleph's core facilities.

The investigation indicates significant, undeclared financial holdings, valued at approximately ¥700 million, held by Aleph-linked corporations. Authorities suspect this asset concealment was an effort to evade asset seizures tied to lawsuits filed by victims of offenses perpetrated by the original cult. Notably, the measures appear to be a direct response to a 2019 court order demanding Aleph pay compensation exceeding ¥1 billion to victims of incidents arising from the infamous sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system in 1995 and other offenses.

Financial documents demonstrate dramatic shifts in Aleph's declared assets over recent years. While official reports showed Aleph's assets dropping drastically from about ¥1.286 billion in early 2019 to roughly ¥8 million by February 2024, affiliated corporate entities saw the value of their assets rise significantly, from around ¥460 million in early 2020 to at least ¥700 million by February 2024. These figures underscore the suspicion that Aleph systematically transferred assets to external yet closely associated corporate entities, circumventing government oversight.

The agency's comprehensive January 2023 report served as evidence in Aleph's recent lawsuit against the central government, in a trial concluded late last year. The developments in this investigation could have substantial legal and financial implications, especially concerning the compensation rights of the victims of Aum Supreme Truth and associated activities.