The Public Security Intelligence Agency conducted an inspection at a facility of Aleph, the successor group to Aum Shinrikyo, located in Sapporo’s Shiroishi Ward.

The inspection targeted the “Sapporo Shiroishi Facility,” which is considered Aleph’s largest domestic base.

According to the Public Security Intelligence Agency, the inspection began around 9:00 AM on October 9th and aims to clarify the group’s actual activities and situation based on the Organization Control Law.

During an inspection in November 2024, it was confirmed that the facility contained photographs of former death row inmate Matsumoto and educational materials recording his sermons.

The Public Security Intelligence Agency states that Aleph has approximately 1,600 followers nationwide, with about 20% believed to be followers within Hokkaido.

Public Security Intelligence Agency

The Public Security Intelligence Agency (PSIA) is Japan’s domestic intelligence and security agency, established in 1952 during the post-war Allied occupation. Its primary role is to gather and analyze intelligence on potential threats to national security, including terrorism and espionage, and it operates with a focus on internal security rather than law enforcement.

Aleph

I am unable to provide a summary of “Aleph” as a specific place or cultural site, as this term does not refer to a widely recognized location in geography or cultural heritage. The word “aleph” is the first letter of the Hebrew and other Semitic alphabets. It is famously used as the title of a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, which describes a point in space that contains all other points, but this is a work of philosophical fiction, not a physical site.

Aum Shinrikyo

Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. The group is infamous for carrying out the deadly 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. It was designated a terrorist organization and officially disbanded, though successor groups have since emerged under different leadership.

Sapporo Shiroishi Facility

The Sapporo Shiroishi Facility is a former Sapporo Beer factory and brewery located in Sapporo, Japan, which began operations in 1973. While the original brewery has since closed, the site has been redeveloped into a commercial complex featuring shops, restaurants, and event spaces, preserving its industrial heritage.

Organization Control Law

The “Organization Control Law” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a piece of Japanese legislation. Enacted in 1999, it was designed to regulate organizations that have committed indiscriminate mass murder, allowing the government to monitor and restrict their activities. The law was a direct response to the terrorist activities of the Aum Shinrikyo cult following the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack.

Matsumoto

Matsumoto is a city in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture, renowned for Matsumoto Castle, one of the country’s most beautiful and historic original castles. Constructed in the late 16th century, the castle is famous for its striking black exterior and is one of Japan’s few remaining “hirajiro” (castles built on flatland). Today, it serves as a major cultural landmark and a popular tourist destination.

Hokkaido

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost main island, historically inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before systematic Japanese settlement began in the late 19th century. It is renowned for its vast unspoiled natural landscapes, including national parks, volcanic mountains, and hot springs, which make it a popular destination for outdoor activities and winter sports. The region’s distinct culture, climate, and cuisine further set it apart from the rest of Japan.