#To the victims and bereaved families of the 1994
sarin gas attack in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
Six years have passed since June 27, 1994, when sarin
was spread in Matsumoto, Nagano prefecture. It took us the same period
to be able to face what the incident brought about. We belatedly come
to be able to accept as our problems what you have gone through--- aftereffects
that are still lingering on victims; agonies that each of the bereaved
family members had to experience.
Although the incident took place without our knowing it, we as members
of the organization involved in the incident cannot abandon our responsibilities.
We would like to apologize from the bottom of our heart to the victims
and the members of the bereaved families. We very much regret what we
have done to you all.
The fact that it took us as long as six years to be able to express a
word of apology has distressed you more deeply than otherwise. We must
also deeply apologize for that.
Taking this opportunity, we would like you to know that we will remember
the incident forever and will freshly make up our mind to sincerely make
every effort possible to compensate you all.
As for the compensation plan for the Aum incidents, we are willing to
negotiate with Aum Shinrikyo's bankruptcy administrators in such a way
that you can accept it as soon as possible. Moreover, we will circulate
among ourselves the documents such as the booklets and diaries that were
edited and published by lawyers of the victims in the Matsumoto sarin
gas attack. By distributing them to each of our members, we will give
them an opportunity to face the truth of the incident, to listen to the
words of the victims and bereaved families, and then to deepen our regret
for what we have done in the past. At grass roots, Aleph's members will
do their best in sending their apologies by mail to the victims and bereaved
families.
Last, but not least, we all wish from the bottom our heart that the truth
of the incident be revealed and the distress of all the victims and bereaved
families be released as soon as possible.
June 27, 2000
Tatsuko Muraoka, Representative of Religious Organization Aleph
