# Aum Shinrikyo's research activities on anthrax: the anthrax bacteria spread in 1993 was a harmless strain

October 10, 2001

Today's Yomiuri carried a story that "the anthrax bacteria that was spread in the Aum Supreme Truth cult's general headquarters in Koto Ward, Tokyo, in July 1993 for unknown reasons was a harmless strain imported from the United States and designed to be used as vaccine for cattle, a Northern Arizona University research group said Tuesday."

Up until today, it is widely believed that although the bacteria was harmful, because it was treated under too high pressure, the plot ended in vain. This is what Aum Shinrikyo's former high-profile members like Mr. Hirose said in their trials ---- they were all involved neither in obtaining nor in culturing the bacteria. The result of the internal investigation done by Aleph indicates, however, that the bacteria was harmless from the beginning and also that the former Aum Shinrikyo leader Shoko Asahara knew it.The fact that Aleph's internal investigation and the research carried out by Northern Arizona University show the same result substantiates the rightness of Aleph's view that Aum Shinrikyo did not culture or spread harmful anthrax bacteria. This fact has already been in public.

Reflecting on what its predecessor did in the past, Aleph would like to add that it has no intention at all to plan or produce any chemical or biological weapons. Aleph believes that any terrorism by any group, any organization, or any state, including the terrorist attacks of September 11th, cannot solve any problem. .

AUM used anthrax from U.S. in 1993
DATE : 2001/10/11 MEDIA : The Daily Yomiuri PAGE : 2 WORD COUNT : 283

[Text Info.]

Aum used anthrax from U.S. in 1993 WASHINGTON--The anthrax bacteria that was spread in the Aum Supreme Truth cult's general headquarters in Koto Ward, Tokyo, in July 1993 for unknown reasons was a harmless strain imported from the United States and designed to be used as vaccine for cattle, a Northern Arizona University research group said Tuesday.

Although no one contracted the disease in the Aum case, the research group members said there was a possibility the bacteria could have been turned into a biological weapon. Prof. Paul Keim of the university, along with Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases, obtained a sample of the anthrax bacteria after it had been used by the cult.

After analyzing its DNA, the research group concluded the bacteria was not cultivated by Aum, but was imported from the United States as a vaccine.

Keim said cult members may have dispersed the nonpoisonous bacteria either because they were ignorant of its effects or because they were rehearsing for a terrorist attack using biological weapons.

The research group revealed the cult's usage of anthrax as concerns over such attacks have been mounting in the United States since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.


Cult members cultivated anthrax

According to the public prosecutor's concluding speech during an Aum Supreme Truth trial, followers of the cult in 1993 spread the anthrax germ in Tokyo after cultivating it in their buildings.

Chizuo Matsumoto, 46, the Aum founder who is also known as Shoko Asahara, reportedly gave the order.

It had been learned from Aum's former senior members that the bacteria was obtained through one of the cult's followers, but this is the first time light was shed on the bacteria's origin.