1995 Aum Shinrikyo Sarin Gas Attack Turning Point for SDF

Tokyo, March 19 (Jiji Press)--The 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system by the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult was a turning point for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, according to Katsumi Nakamura, who led decontamination work at a subway station following the attack.

Nakamura, 65, a former instructor at the Ground SDF Chemical School, said that "measures have progressed" after Japan faced the threat of chemical terrorism 30 years ago, but warned that "a sense of crisis is fading."

Nakamura was at a loss for words at the sight of the devastation after entering Tsukiji Station of the then Teito Rapid Transit Authority, now Tokyo Metro Co., on March 20, 1995, the day of the attack.

"Shoes and glasses were scattered on the unmanned station platform, and traces of bloody vomit and liquid left on the train were shocking," he said.

After spraying a neutralizing agent to counteract the sarin gas, Nakamura took his gas mask off to confirm with his own body that the area was safe. "I inhaled outside air little by little and focused to see if there was anything wrong," he said.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]