# Shōkō Asahara

> founder of the Japanese new religious group Aum Shinrikyo

**Wikidata**: [Q311669](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311669)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoko_Asahara)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shoko-asahara

## Summary
Shōkō Asahara is the founder of the Japanese new religious group Aum Shinrikyo. He is also known by his birth name, Chizuo Matsumoto, and has been associated with various roles including writer, singer, and terrorist. His primary identity is tied to his leadership of Aum Shinrikyo, a group later implicated in terrorist attacks and serial killings.

## Biography
- Born: [date and place not specified]
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: [not specified]
- Known for: Founding Aum Shinrikyo, a controversial new religious movement
- Employer(s): Aum Shinrikyo (founder and leader)
- Field(s): New religious movements, cult leadership

## Contributions
Shōkō Asahara founded Aum Shinrikyo in 1984, a group that later became known for its involvement in terrorist activities, including the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack and the 1994 Matsumoto sarin attack. He was also associated with the group's use of biological weapons and serial killings. Aum Shinrikyo's activities led to significant legal and social consequences, including the group's dissolution and the prosecution of its members.

## FAQs
**What was Shōkō Asahara's primary role?**
Shōkō Asahara was the founder and leader of Aum Shinrikyo, a Japanese new religious group. He was responsible for the group's expansion and its involvement in controversial activities, including terrorism and serial killings.

**What is Aum Shinrikyo known for?**
Aum Shinrikyo is known for its involvement in terrorist attacks, including the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, and for its use of biological weapons. The group was also associated with serial killings and other criminal activities.

**Was Shōkō Asahara involved in criminal activities?**
Yes, Shōkō Asahara was associated with Aum Shinrikyo's involvement in terrorism and serial killings. The group's actions led to significant legal consequences, including the prosecution of its members.

## Why They Matter
Shōkō Asahara's leadership of Aum Shinrikyo had a profound impact on Japanese society, particularly in the areas of terrorism, cult dynamics, and public safety. The group's activities raised concerns about the potential for religious extremism to be exploited for criminal purposes. The legal and social consequences of Aum Shinrikyo's actions continue to be studied in discussions about cult behavior, bioterrorism, and the role of new religious movements in society.

## Notable For
- Founder of Aum Shinrikyo, a controversial new religious group
- Associated with the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack and other terrorist activities
- Linked to serial killings and the use of biological weapons
- Led a group that became a subject of extensive legal and social scrutiny

## Body
### Early Life and Founding of Aum Shinrikyo
Shōkō Asahara, born Chizuo Matsumoto, founded Aum Shinrikyo in 1984. The group initially gained followers through its teachings on spiritual enlightenment and self-improvement. However, Aum Shinrikyo's activities later took a darker turn, involving terrorism and criminal behavior.

### Involvement in Terrorism and Criminal Activities
Aum Shinrikyo was implicated in several terrorist attacks, including the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people. The group was also associated with the 1994 Matsumoto sarin attack, another incident involving the use of sarin gas. These actions led to the group's dissolution and the prosecution of its members.

### Legal and Social Consequences
Shōkō Asahara and other members of Aum Shinrikyo faced significant legal consequences for their involvement in terrorism and serial killings. The group's activities raised concerns about the potential for religious extremism to be exploited for criminal purposes, leading to increased scrutiny of new religious movements in Japan and beyond.

### Legacy and Influence
The legacy of Shōkō Asahara and Aum Shinrikyo continues to be studied in discussions about cult behavior, bioterrorism, and the role of new religious movements in society. The group's actions have had a lasting impact on public safety and the understanding of extremism within religious contexts.

## References

1. [Source](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180706_21/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/09/16/national/asaharas-execution-finalized/#.WUbzCcZ7EUE)
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. [Aum cult founder Asahara, 6 followers hanged. 2018](https://japantoday.com/category/crime/Aum-founder-Asahara-mastermind-behind-1995-sarin-gas-attack-executed)
8. Freebase
9. [asahi.com : ニュース特集 ： 「オウム教祖」判決](https://web.archive.org/web/20170706124019/http://www.asahi.com/special/matsumoto/TKY200402270121.html)
10. [Source](http://www.cnet-sc.ne.jp/canarium/10-7.html)
11. [Source](http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/08/17/national/daughters-also-unable-to-reach-asahara/#.WUb2ocZ7EUE)