Joyu told followers at two seminars during the Golden Week holidays that it would be difficult to bridge the gap between the sect factions, the sources said May 10.

The anti-Joyu group held separate seminars at six locations nationwide.

Joyu, 43, indicated he wants to use half of the cult's financial assets and facilities for his group, the sources said.

He also said he would review Aum's religious principles and training systems after launching the new group, possibly around July.

Joyu said at the seminars that it was necessary to establish an organization for believers in case Aum founder and spiritual leader Shoko Asahara, 51, is hanged, the sources said. Asahara was sentenced to death by the Tokyo District Court in 2004 for his roles in 13 criminal cases, including the 1995 sarin attack on the Tokyo subway system.

The group, which calls itself Aleph, has had a collective leadership since October 2003, when Joyu withdrew from managing the group.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 20, 2006
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