Police Probe Cash Find at Home of Aum Shinrikyo Leader's Family

In June 1995, Shoko Asahara, the leader of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, was transported in a police car in Tokyo. Seven years after his execution, police in Saitama Prefecture discovered a significant amount of cash during a search of his widow and son's home.

This unusual raid highlights the ongoing scrutiny of individuals connected to the doomsday cult responsible for the deadly nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system three decades prior. Asahara's wife and second son live in the apartment in Koshigaya, where the search took place in mid-April. The search was conducted under laws targeting organizations responsible for mass murder, aimed at keeping Aum Shinrikyo's successors under surveillance.

The cash, found in smaller bundles and hidden throughout the residence, is now under investigation by both police and the Public Security Intelligence Agency to determine its source and intended use. The PSIA had previously attempted an inspection in March, but was denied access by Asahara's wife, leading the agency to involve the police.

Aum Shinrikyo was dissolved after the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, which resulted in numerous deaths and illnesses. Shoko Asahara was executed in 2018 for his role in the attack and other crimes. Despite the disbandment, successor groups like Aleph remain under close government observation.

Although authorities believe Asahara's wife and son are not currently affiliated with any of these groups, the PSIA continues to monitor their activities. Aleph was ordered to pay substantial damages to the victims of Aum's crimes in 2020, but compensation payments have been delayed. The group's reported assets have significantly decreased, raising concerns about its financial transparency and ability to meet its legal obligations.