ASDF sergeants dumped over AUM ties

Mainichi Shimbun, August 8, 1999

KANAZAWA - Two Air Self-Defense Force staff sergeants have been forced to resign because they are members of the doomsday cult AUM Shinrikyo, ASDF officials said.

The pair, whose names have not been disclosed, were given the option of remaining with the military if they left the cult, but elected to remain faithful to AUM.

The pair - aged 29 and 28 - admitted to being AUM followers during regular interviews by their superiors in June. They resigned on July 2 from their posts at the ASDF's Komatsu base.

The two joined the force about 10 years ago and were engaged in repair work at the Komatsu base.

The 29-year-old was an AUM member at the time of the March 20, 1995, Tokyo subway gassing, which left 12 people dead and injured thousands. AUM members have admitted to carrying out the attack.

He later quit the cult but rejoined it in January last year along with the 28-year-old sergeant. After that, the two visited the cult's Kanazawa branch once a week.