Aleph, Aum Supreme Truth Cult’s Successor, Fails to Report ¥700 Million; Group Apparently Sought to Hide Assets
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Aum Supreme Truth’s main successor transferred financial assets in an apparent attempt to conceal them, according to a Public Security Intelligence Agency investigation report seen by The Yomiuri Shimbun.
The cult’s successor, which is called Aleph, used such means as extending loans to corporate entities represented or managed by people linked to the group, including its followers.
The agency has estimated that about ¥700 million in assets belonging to Aleph-linked corporations has not been reported to the government. It is believed Aleph had been attempting to prevent the assets from being seized for victims of Aum-related incidents who have demanded compensation.
The report was compiled by the agency in January 2023 based on the results of on-site inspections of Aleph facilities and other probes. It was submitted as evidence in a trial for a lawsuit filed by Aleph against the central government. A ruling in the trial was handed down in December last year. The Yomiuri Shimbun has confirmed the contents of the report.
According to the report, there are at least eight Aleph-linked corporate entities, with its followers being representatives, executives or investors. The head offices of these entities are all located at the same addresses as Aleph’s hub facilities. Aleph extended about ¥220 million in loans to some of the entities, transferred its right to receive repayments to other affiliated bodies and paid high fees for using facilities in order to transfer its assets.
Content retrieved from: https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20250309-242449/.
