Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2008, Page 42
sounds of more than one hundred followers, who practiced there night and day and went in
and out from their part-time jobs, which they were obliged to do for fundraising 2) the
stench of the special Aum diet rises from the kitchen because of a lack of proper ventilation
to the loft 3) the noise of special instruments and vibrations from downstairs, and so on.
Dealing with such matters, the residents used to make written complaints demanding action
by a specified time, because Aleph did not immediately respond and improve the situation.
The residents argued with Aleph many times over whether such complaints had even been
made in these matters. This ongoing process wasted time and exhausted the residents.
Consequently, a number of families left this condominium because they felt they could not
live in peace due to the comings and goings of Aleph members, the media, and police.
Naturally, they wish to sell their condominiums at a reasonable price yet real estate agents
say that people will not buy condominiums with Aleph neighbors, although the units are
quiet and convenient. As a result, these residents bear the heavy financial burden of
continuing to own their condominium and rent a new one for their family. The residents‘
most urgent request is that Aleph leave the condominium, and their second choice would be
to have the government provide the concerned residents with new living arrangements.
Period Three
The opposition movement of the third period was engaged in ―the struggle against the
flagging of the movement,‖ in the words of the council members. The small number of ward
assembly members and ward staff has not lost interest in the residential opposition
movement, yet they can do little more than watch Aleph. A sign of this current status
appeared at the 3rd regular meeting on September 2nd, 2001. One member, Mr. Kawakami,
stated, ―Since Aum Shinrikyo, presently Aleph, moved into Setagaya Ward late last year, I
took up this problem at the regular meeting of the budget special committee. In former
times, there were many members of Parliament who did so, but now it is just me‖
(Setagaya Ward, 2001). Kawakami also asked whether the ward could take budgetary steps
for the residential council. The Karasuyama general branch office head replied,
Including our ward, many municipalities were sued by Aleph and/or subjected
to an audit by citizens who supported the minority and formulated
countermeasures. The residential council recognized this situation and,
subsequently, they neither relied on the ward‘s budget nor directly requested
it (Setagaya Ward, 2001).
The ward committee concerned with this problem was called the ―special committee of the
Aum problem and leaving bicycle measure and so on.‖ Compared to other municipalities
that faced an influx of Aleph members, the ward Congress did not address this issue so
often, despite the size of the collective residence and its influence on local residents.
Although a few Congress members and staff in the risk-management office of Setagaya
Ward have been engaged in watching Aleph, they are not appreciated by the local people.
There was a difference of opinion between the residential council that sought the complete
removal of Aleph from the Karasuyama area and condo residents. On January 2nd, 2003,
they set up a new meeting, separate from the residential council, called ―the Meeting
Defending Setagaya Ward against Aum,‖ because they were discouraged by the deadlocked
situation and hoped for even a conditional compromise. Although the council continued to
request action aimed at comprehensive legislation against Aleph, they demanded a short-
term and direct opposition movement, and actions such as complete public disclosure of
Aleph‘s religious practice and study meetings held in the downstairs ceremony hall. They
insisted that they felt anxiety because they were not informed of what went on there. If
Aleph guaranteed to show their activities to anyone concerned, that would help reassure
residents. Incidentally, I was nominated by the residents to be one of the visitors. However,
sounds of more than one hundred followers, who practiced there night and day and went in
and out from their part-time jobs, which they were obliged to do for fundraising 2) the
stench of the special Aum diet rises from the kitchen because of a lack of proper ventilation
to the loft 3) the noise of special instruments and vibrations from downstairs, and so on.
Dealing with such matters, the residents used to make written complaints demanding action
by a specified time, because Aleph did not immediately respond and improve the situation.
The residents argued with Aleph many times over whether such complaints had even been
made in these matters. This ongoing process wasted time and exhausted the residents.
Consequently, a number of families left this condominium because they felt they could not
live in peace due to the comings and goings of Aleph members, the media, and police.
Naturally, they wish to sell their condominiums at a reasonable price yet real estate agents
say that people will not buy condominiums with Aleph neighbors, although the units are
quiet and convenient. As a result, these residents bear the heavy financial burden of
continuing to own their condominium and rent a new one for their family. The residents‘
most urgent request is that Aleph leave the condominium, and their second choice would be
to have the government provide the concerned residents with new living arrangements.
Period Three
The opposition movement of the third period was engaged in ―the struggle against the
flagging of the movement,‖ in the words of the council members. The small number of ward
assembly members and ward staff has not lost interest in the residential opposition
movement, yet they can do little more than watch Aleph. A sign of this current status
appeared at the 3rd regular meeting on September 2nd, 2001. One member, Mr. Kawakami,
stated, ―Since Aum Shinrikyo, presently Aleph, moved into Setagaya Ward late last year, I
took up this problem at the regular meeting of the budget special committee. In former
times, there were many members of Parliament who did so, but now it is just me‖
(Setagaya Ward, 2001). Kawakami also asked whether the ward could take budgetary steps
for the residential council. The Karasuyama general branch office head replied,
Including our ward, many municipalities were sued by Aleph and/or subjected
to an audit by citizens who supported the minority and formulated
countermeasures. The residential council recognized this situation and,
subsequently, they neither relied on the ward‘s budget nor directly requested
it (Setagaya Ward, 2001).
The ward committee concerned with this problem was called the ―special committee of the
Aum problem and leaving bicycle measure and so on.‖ Compared to other municipalities
that faced an influx of Aleph members, the ward Congress did not address this issue so
often, despite the size of the collective residence and its influence on local residents.
Although a few Congress members and staff in the risk-management office of Setagaya
Ward have been engaged in watching Aleph, they are not appreciated by the local people.
There was a difference of opinion between the residential council that sought the complete
removal of Aleph from the Karasuyama area and condo residents. On January 2nd, 2003,
they set up a new meeting, separate from the residential council, called ―the Meeting
Defending Setagaya Ward against Aum,‖ because they were discouraged by the deadlocked
situation and hoped for even a conditional compromise. Although the council continued to
request action aimed at comprehensive legislation against Aleph, they demanded a short-
term and direct opposition movement, and actions such as complete public disclosure of
Aleph‘s religious practice and study meetings held in the downstairs ceremony hall. They
insisted that they felt anxiety because they were not informed of what went on there. If
Aleph guaranteed to show their activities to anyone concerned, that would help reassure
residents. Incidentally, I was nominated by the residents to be one of the visitors. However,
