Tokyo subway workers marked on Saturday the ninth anniversary of Aum Shinrikyo's deadly sarin nerve gas attack on the train system, observing a moment of silence and offering flowers at stations.
Subway workers at Tokyo's Kasumigaseki Station on the Hibiya Line observe a moment of silence at 8 a.m. Saturday, the time of Aum's sarin attack on March 20, 1995.
Kikuo Suzuki, the Hibiya Line's chief assistant stationmaster at Kasumigaseki Station, called on about 20 fellow workers to observe a moment of silence at 8 a.m., the time of the attack on five trains on three lines in 1995, for the 12 people who died and the thousands who were injured.
On the adjacent Chiyoda Line, Michio Kumagami, Kasumigaseki Station service chief, laid flowers for the victims.
In offering condolences, Kumagami said: "My feelings (for the victims) have never changed after years have passed. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to those who have been killed, and pray for the earliest possible recovery of those who are still ill."
More than 5,000 people were sickened in what was one of Japan's worst terrorist incidents. Of the 12 who died, two were station workers at Kasumigaseki.
Kazumasa Takahashi, one of the station workers, died after he collected plastic bags containing sarin.
Takahashi's wife, Shizue, said: "Nine years have passed so fast, we cannot make this incident fade away."
Passengers also observed a moment of silence in memorials at Kodemmacho, Hatchobori, Tsukiji and Kamiyacho stations on the Hibiya Line, and at Nakanosakaue Station on the Marunouchi Line.
Aum founder Shoko Asahara, 49, was sentenced to death Feb. 27 for his role in 13 criminal cases, including the subway attack, that resulted in the death of 27 people. His lawyers have appealed the ruling.
Aum renamed itself Aleph in January 2000.