Kazuhiro Kusakabe and the Meiji Shrine Attack Attempt
In a shocking incident that drew national attention, a 21-year-old man from Neyagawa, Osaka, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after deliberately driving his vehicle into a crowded area. The perpetrator, identified as Kazuhiro Kusakabe (born 1997), claimed his actions were a calculated terrorist act intended to send a political message.
Key Facts
- Perpetrator: Kazuhiro Kusakabe, a 21-year-old male from Neyagawa, Osaka.
- Charge: Arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
- Motive: Protest against the death penalty and the July 2018 executions of Aum Shinrikyo members.
- Original Plan: An arson attack using a high-pressure washer to spread kerosene at Meiji Shrine.
- Cult Connection: Police investigated links to the doomsday cult formerly known as Aum Shinrikyo.
The Motive and Ideological Links
Following his arrest, Kusakabe stated that he drove his car down a narrow street as a form of protest. Specifically, he targeted the death penalty and the execution of members of Aum Shinrikyo, which took place in July 2018. Aum Shinrikyo is a doomsday cult—a group believing in the imminent end of the world—notorious for carrying out the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack.
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Law enforcement agencies confirmed they were investigating the depth of the connection between Kusakabe and the remnants of the cult to determine if the attack was coordinated or inspired by their teachings.
The Failed Arson Plot
While the vehicle attack was the primary event leading to his arrest, investigations revealed a more sinister original plan. According to reports from The Asahi Shimbun, Kusakabe confessed to police that he had initially prepared for an arson attack. He intended to use a high-pressure washer to spread kerosene across a crowd at the Meiji Shrine, a major landmark in Tokyo.
Police believe that Kusakabe abandoned the arson plan only after discovering that vehicles were prohibited from entering the shrine grounds due to the high volume of visitors, leading him to pivot to the vehicle-ramming attempt.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect Name | Kazuhiro Kusakabe |
| Age at Arrest | 21 |
| Origin | Neyagawa, Osaka |
| Primary Charge | Attempted Murder |
| Target Location | Meiji Shrine / Narrow street vicinity |
| Ideological Influence | Aum Shinrikyo |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kazuhiro Kusakabe?
Kazuhiro Kusakabe is a 21-year-old man from Neyagawa, Osaka, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after driving his car into a crowd.
What was the motive behind the attack?
Kusakabe claimed the act was a protest against the death penalty and the execution of Aum Shinrikyo members in July 2018.
What was the original plan for the attack?
He originally planned to commit arson at the Meiji Shrine by using a high-pressure washer to spread kerosene among the crowds.
Why did he change his plan from arson to a vehicle attack?
Police suspect he changed his plan because vehicles were not permitted at the Meiji Shrine due to the large number of visitors.
What is the connection to Aum Shinrikyo?
Police investigated Kusakabe's links to the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, the group responsible for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin attack, as his motives aligned with the cult's members.