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Tokyo subway sarin attack

@tokyosubwaysarinattack

Explore the timeline of the Tokyo subway sarin attack, detailing key events and impacts of this tragic incident in Japan's history.

7Events
34Years
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26July
2018
26 Jul 2018

Execution of Remaining Aum Shinrikyo Members

On July 26, 2018, the remaining six members of Aum Shinrikyo on death row were executed. These executions were part of the final chapter in the legal proceedings against those responsible for the Tokyo subway sarin attack. The executions were met with mixed reactions in Japan and abroad.

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06July
2018
06 Jul 2018

Execution of Shoko Asahara

Shoko Asahara was executed on July 6, 2018, along with six other senior members of Aum Shinrikyo. The executions marked the end of a long legal process and were carried out in secrecy. The event brought closure to one of Japan's most notorious criminal cases.

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27February
2004
27 Feb 2004

Shoko Asahara Sentenced to Death

On February 27, 2004, Shoko Asahara was sentenced to death by the Tokyo District Court. He was found guilty of masterminding the Tokyo subway sarin attack and several other crimes. His trial lasted nearly eight years, and the verdict was a significant moment in Japan's legal history.

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16May
1995
16 May 1995

Arrest of Shoko Asahara

Shoko Asahara, the leader of Aum Shinrikyo, was arrested on May 16, 1995, following a nationwide manhunt. His arrest marked a significant turning point in the investigation of the Tokyo subway sarin attack. Asahara was found hiding in a secret compartment in the cult's headquarters.

20March
1995
20 Mar 1995

Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack

On March 20, 1995, Aum Shinrikyo members released sarin gas on five trains in the Tokyo subway system during rush hour. The attack killed 13 people, severely injured 50, and caused temporary vision problems for nearly 1,000 others. It was one of the most serious attacks on Japanese soil since World War II.

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27June
1993
27 Jun 1993

Matsumoto Sarin Attack

The Matsumoto sarin attack was a precursor to the Tokyo subway attack. On June 27, 1993, members of Aum Shinrikyo released sarin gas in the city of Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, targeting judges who were overseeing a lawsuit against the cult. The attack killed eight people and injured over 500.

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01January
1984
01 Jan 1984

Founding of Aum Shinrikyo

Aum Shinrikyo, the cult responsible for the Tokyo subway sarin attack, was founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. The group initially started as a yoga and meditation class but gradually transformed into a doomsday cult with apocalyptic beliefs. Asahara claimed to be Christ and sought to take over Japan and the world.

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Frequently asked questions about Tokyo subway sarin attack

Discover commonly asked questions regarding Tokyo subway sarin attack. If there are any questions we may have overlooked, please let us know.

What were the immediate consequences of the Tokyo subway sarin attack?

What was the Tokyo subway sarin attack?

What were the motives behind the Tokyo subway sarin attack?

How has the Tokyo subway sarin attack influenced Japan's approach to terrorism and security?