The report says the entities, some of them computer software companies, are run by live-in followers of the group, which renamed itself Aleph in January 2000.

Some followers have taken up jobs at outside companies and have been contributing part of their salaries to the cult, it said.

The cult has said any profits made are intended to provide funds for compensating victims of Aum's crimes.

Aum has been under surveillance by the security agency under a 1999 law aimed at monitoring and cracking down on groups that have committed indiscriminate murder.

Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa said that followers of the cult retain absolute faith in Aum Shinrikyo founder Shoko Asahara.

"The followers have strengthened their seclusion from society and have not changed their self-deceiving nature," he said.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 24, 2004
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