Chapter Title Ribu’s Response to the United Red Army FeministJinElias52
Chapter Title: Ribu’s Response to the United Red Army Feminist Ethics and the Politics
of Violence
Book Title: Scream from the Shadows
Book Subtitle: The Women’s Liberation Movement in Japan
Book Author(s): Setsu Shigematsu
Published by: University of Minnesota Press
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt77b.9
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I I I
B E T W E E N F E M I N I S M A N D V I O L E N C E
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C H A P T E R F I V E
Ribu’s Response to the
United Red Army
Feminist Ethics and the Politics of Violence
Political violence remains as an aporetic condition.1 It is an ineluctable prob-
lematic bound to politics, ethics, sovereignty, and power. The definition of
political violence is debated and unsettled, involving a spectrum of violence
for political ends that can include state- sponsored violence and terrorism; mil-
itary and policing actions; incarceration and torture; and insurgent, counter-
hegemonic uses of violence and terrorism.2 As a radical feminist movement
that formed amid the turbulence of the early 1970s, ūman ribu’s approach to
political violence was both compelling and complex. This chapter examines
ribu’s relationship to the United Red Army (Rengo Sekigun; hereafter URA),
a group considered by many to have been Japan’s most violent domestic
under ground revolutionary sect.3 The following discussion of the URA dem-
onstrates that the interpretability and contestability of any action or event is
what renders its violence political, justifiable, and/or abhorrent. The events
surrounding the URA in 1972 became a turning point for Japanese leftist
radicalism because of the way political violence was deployed in the name of
revolutionary purposes. The URA’s use of violence in the name of the revolu-
tion has been regarded as a disturbing and tragic event that marked the dow ...
Chapter Title Ribu’s Response to the United Red Army FeministJinElias52
Chapter Title: Ribu’s Response to the United Red Army Feminist Ethics and the Politics
of Violence
Book Title: Scream from the Shadows
Book Subtitle: The Women’s Liberation Movement in Japan
Book Author(s): Setsu Shigematsu
Published by: University of Minnesota Press
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt77b.9
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide
range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and
facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]
Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at
https://about.jstor.org/terms
University of Minnesota Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend
access to Scream from the Shadows
This content downloaded from
�������������137.110.35.63 on Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:32:42 UTC�������������
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt77b.9
I I I
B E T W E E N F E M I N I S M A N D V I O L E N C E
This content downloaded from
�������������137.110.35.63 on Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:32:42 UTC�������������
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
This page intentionally left blank
This content downloaded from
�������������137.110.35.63 on Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:32:42 UTC�������������
All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms
C H A P T E R F I V E
Ribu’s Response to the
United Red Army
Feminist Ethics and the Politics of Violence
Political violence remains as an aporetic condition.1 It is an ineluctable prob-
lematic bound to politics, ethics, sovereignty, and power. The definition of
political violence is debated and unsettled, involving a spectrum of violence
for political ends that can include state- sponsored violence and terrorism; mil-
itary and policing actions; incarceration and torture; and insurgent, counter-
hegemonic uses of violence and terrorism.2 As a radical feminist movement
that formed amid the turbulence of the early 1970s, ūman ribu’s approach to
political violence was both compelling and complex. This chapter examines
ribu’s relationship to the United Red Army (Rengo Sekigun; hereafter URA),
a group considered by many to have been Japan’s most violent domestic
under ground revolutionary sect.3 The following discussion of the URA dem-
onstrates that the interpretability and contestability of any action or event is
what renders its violence political, justifiable, and/or abhorrent. The events
surrounding the URA in 1972 became a turning point for Japanese leftist
radicalism because of the way political violence was deployed in the name of
revolutionary purposes. The URA’s use of violence in the name of the revolu-
tion has been regarded as a disturbing and tragic event that marked the dow ...
Understanding the Challenges of Street ChildrenSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Canadian Immigration Tracker March 2024 - Key SlidesAndrew Griffith
Highlights
Permanent Residents decrease along with percentage of TR2PR decline to 52 percent of all Permanent Residents.
March asylum claim data not issued as of May 27 (unusually late). Irregular arrivals remain very small.
Study permit applications experiencing sharp decrease as a result of announced caps over 50 percent compared to February.
Citizenship numbers remain stable.
Slide 3 has the overall numbers and change.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Understanding the Challenges of Street ChildrenSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Canadian Immigration Tracker March 2024 - Key SlidesAndrew Griffith
Highlights
Permanent Residents decrease along with percentage of TR2PR decline to 52 percent of all Permanent Residents.
March asylum claim data not issued as of May 27 (unusually late). Irregular arrivals remain very small.
Study permit applications experiencing sharp decrease as a result of announced caps over 50 percent compared to February.
Citizenship numbers remain stable.
Slide 3 has the overall numbers and change.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
2. 2
Empirical facts (what happened)
On March 20, 1995 Tokyo was hit by a disastrous terrorist attack. At around 08:00
o’clock during the rush hour in Japan’s capital subway network five two-person teams
(one attacker and one driver) conducted a nearly simultaneous attack on lots of
travellers by using the deadly nerve agent Sarin. Three subway lines were selected by
these terrorists namely the Marunouchi line, the Hibiya line and the Chyoda line. The
ultimate goal was that all lines converged in the heart of Tokyo’s governmental district,
Kasumigaseki. Five terrorists were driven to five different stations; Shinjuku, Ueno,
Kitasenju, Neka-Meguro and Korakuen, and subsequently boarded the subway trains
between 07:39 and 07:58. Four of them carried two, in newspapers wrapped, packages
of Sarin, the other terrorists carried three packages. All these five men were in
possession of an umbrella with a sharpened tip. The sharpened tip was meant for
puncturing the packages of sarin for activating.
All attacks were carried out at approximately 08:00 o’clock, and subsequently after
some 10 minutes later the first emergency calls arrived at the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire
Department. Meanwhile chaos, hysteria and panic broke out as for the first period of
time it was unknown what the cause of this dramatic failure was. Many people had
severe airway problems or passed away on the stations, emergency responses did not
know how to handle protocols of unknown disasters (e.g. decontamination), and were
overwhelmed. At about 09:00 o’clock the Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department
established headquarters for emergency response operations at affected stations, as it
was convinced by the National Police Agency that this was a major incident in the
subway system and significant responses were required. St. Luke’s international
hospital was one of the few hospitals able and prepared to handle major disasters. As
the hospital was in close proximity of the contaminated subway area, lots of victims
were transported to the hospital or went by own means like taxis and/or by foot.
At 11:00 o’clock the police announced in a press conference that sarin was the source of
the subway attacks. Up until that point the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo
Police, Tokyo Metropolitan Fire department, the Japanese Self Defense Force (JDSF) as
well as the Japanese national government did not had a clue what caused the effects.
Five highly educated members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult executed the attack. As the
sarin used in the attack was only 30 percent pure, the result in killing was not more than
twelve people, and around 3500-5500 people were contaminated, varying in range from
severe to negligible.
Perspective of Counter terrorism.
Aum Shinrikyo was founded in 1987 by Chizuo Matsumoto (who later changed his name
to Shoko Asahara). That cult initially started as a yoga and meditation club, so the Tokyo
Metropolitan Government granted that yoga group as an official religious corporation
status in august 1989. That status implied that authorities are not permitted to
3. 3
investigate its “religious activities or doctrines”. With its status as a legally recognized
religion, the Aum’s activities and character dramatically changed, and followers were at
about 50.000 worldwide by 1995. The cult became more aggressive and dangerous
(kidnapping and physical assaults). In 1990 Asahara was defeated with disappointed
results for the Japanese Diet (congress) election. Since then, Asahara and his cult
announced the Amageddon, claiming the responsibilities to the USA and Japan. Also he
rejected normal interactions with the larger Japanese society and seeks confrontations
with the government. A series of incidents happened since then, some examples are: the
killing of a lawyer representing the anti Aum groups, attempts to bring up the Ebola
virus from Africa, research and production of chemical agents, testing of biological
agents on a ranch in Australia, and the purchase of a Russian military helicopter and
weaponry. On 27 June 1994 a sarin attack took place in the city of Matsumoto using a
converted truck to release the agent, resulting in the killing of seven people and injured
over 200. The reason for that attack was possibly twofold: First the cult wanted to slow
or stop a civil lawsuit over real estate. Three judges, residing that area, handled that case
and were killed. Another reason could be the fact that the assault was a kind of rehearsal
and testing of sarin when an attack was planned on a later moment. This attack was
categorized as an accident.
When policemen coordinated with the JSDF for contingencies in chemical protective
measures, members of Aum inside the JSDF alerted Asahara about a planned raid on the
cult compound on march 23, 1995. Asahara decided to take immediate preemptive
action by conducting a major chemical nerve agent sarin attack with the intention to
distract police and prevent the raid on the Kamikuishiki compound. The result was the
march 20, 1995 attack on Tokyo’s subway system.
Perspective of Crisis Communication
Crisis communication is described, as it is a sum of collecting, processing and
dissemination of information which all of these are important to tackle the crisis. The
Tokyo Metropolitan Government is responsible for regional disaster management and
as a result in regional crisis communication. The Tokyo Metropolitan Fire Department
(TMFD) is responsible for selection of hospitals, transportation and first aid (out of
hospital care). St Luke’s hospital had the entire building wired and piped for conversion
into a “field hospital”. In short notice: crisis communications did not work out at the
beginning, as it was unclear for a couple of hours what was happening. Reports were
received informing that a mass casualty situation was taken place in the underground
but with no exact details of what, where, when, whom why and by what means. The
result was chaos and panic. Also, the facts were that information was too little and
contamination protocols were not established. Subway trains remain traveling along the
route, people and first aid responders and subway personnel were assisting victims
without protective measures and so on. Processing of information was not working out
at all. E.g. St Luke’s hospital took notice of Sarin as the cause of these incidents by a press
release on television, not by informing them via official means. When showed the live
broadcasts on television, a doctor involved in the Matsumoto case recognized the
4. 4
symptoms of sarin and called the official institutes in Tokyo. The dissemination of
information was for that reason not executed in the right chronological way. When the
TMFD and the St Luka’s hospital were the first ones who knew that it was about sarin,
first and second decontamination protocols could have been executed earlier in time
and safeguarded more victims. All about this poorly executed crisis communications lays
in the fact of missing the recognition of sarin gas as a nerve agent and to lack of proper
communication means when communicating. Remarkable fact is that the Matsumoto
incident a year earlier was not put into crisis protocols.
How to address such phenomena for next time
Japanese law enforcement organizations continued investigations on several incidents
and gathered information that indicated that Aum Shinrikyo might be involved in
incidents involving chemical attacks. However, Japanese laws protecting recognized
religious organizations prevented authorities from certain levels of detailed inquire or
direct action against that cult. Lessons learned are that intelligence and indicators on
criminal and terrorists acts should proceed their way in investigations and as a result
apprehend such parties in time.
In the light of crisis communication a solid real time multi-directional communication
system should be established. But also that a system like that should have the possibility
to communicate on different levels (multi channel availability) so that local, regional and
national governments in a multi-level perspective can communicate on pre-designated
channels while others like hospitals, TMFD, local police etc. (multi actor) can conduct
crisis communication on another channel. This means that these conditions could imply
that an in-time recognition and acting on suspected terrorists and their groups,
including their TTP’s, could prevent an attack like the sarin gas attack in Tokyo. And
when it does happen; protocols (recognition of WMD), frequent exercises,
communicating drills and above all, amendments on Japanese constitution and laws will
probably succeed in the prevention of attacks like this in the future.