Matsumoto's second son officially ascends leadership position within Aleph organization
The Public Security Intelligence Agency of Japan has officially recognized the second son of Chizuo Matsumoto, the executed founder of the defunct Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, as the leader of Aleph, a successor organization. The 31-year-old son, who goes by the name Shoko Asahara, has been playing a key role in Aleph since around 2014.
Shoko Asahara's roles and responsibilities within Aleph are diverse. He is involved in the organization's decision-making process and leads its operations [3]. He is also responsible for key decisions such as appointing leaders, disciplining members, responding to litigation, and reporting to authorities [5].
As a spiritual leader, Shoko Asahara serves as a preacher to senior members within Aleph and conducts important religious services [5]. He is also an author, penning publications related to the organization [5].
The 66-year-old wife of Chizuo Matsumoto, Shoko Asahara's mother, acts as his guardian within Aleph, assisting him in his role [1][5].
The Public Security Intelligence Agency's request for administrative action against Aleph, made under the law to control organizations that have committed acts of indiscriminate mass murder, was published in an official gazette on Monday [7]. The request details Shoko Asahara's involvement in Aleph's leadership and decision-making process [4].
Shoko Asahara is also responsible for meting out punishments to members within Aleph [8]. He is the current leader of Aleph, a position he has held since his recognition by the Public Security Intelligence Agency in 2025 [1][3][5].
References:
- NHK World - Japan
- The Japan Times
- Asahi Shimbun
- Kyodo News
- Mainichi Shimbun
- Yomiuri Shimbun
- Nikkei Asia
- Reuters
In the publication by Kyodo News, it is mentioned that Shoko Asahara, leader of Aleph, is responsible for key decisions such as appointing leaders, disciplining members, responding to litigation, and reporting to authorities regarding general-news and crime-and-justice. Additionally, a photo of Shoko Asahara, showing him in a religious setting, might appear in reports about his role as a spiritual leader and author within Aleph, a successor organization of the defunct Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, particularly in regard to politics and religion.
