Terror in Tokyo Case Study - Essay Example

Terror in Tokyo Aum Shinrikyo shows extremist actions that have no regard for human life whatsoever. The group shows blind following of mystical beliefs and science fiction. They are a group that can be branded as very dangerous. The use of a deadly gas further increases the intensity of their criminal actions beyond imaginable levels. The casualties are innocent Japanese who are attacked completely unaware thus lack any self-defense strategy.The cult certainly poses a large danger to the safety of innocent Japanese.

This danger proves imminent every time since the criminal activities of the group are unannounced. The casualties of the March 20 1995 incident show the intense capabilities of the group led by non-other than Chizuo Matsumoto or otherwise spotting the name of Shoko Asahara. The rapid expansion of the group in the early 1995 proves detrimental as chances are on the increase that the public is vulnerable to attacks by the cult members. The strict discipline and commitment that is in the doctrine of the cult further makes the new converts to the group more likely to perpetrate criminal activities to the public.

Purchase of weapons and helicopters shows that the group was well preparing and ready to engage in any confrontation. Further acts of seeking military guidelines from allies in Russia makes the group even more threatening to the Japanese people. Kidnappings and forceful extortion of money from people especially in broad daylight shows that the group had no regard for the public. They were a real threat seeking to fund their transactions at all costs.The Japanese officious did not exactly respond actively to the threats posed by the group.

They portray reluctance in dealing with the cult. As a result, the group continues with its activities of threatening peace and lives of the Japanese. Kariya (an accountant who victim to extortion of money by the group) had submitted reports that he was being followed. The daytime kidnapping of the man and disappearance shows the police were not doing their best to deal with the group. Though the police later tracked the kidnapping, they were short of time. The best recommendation that I would direct to the police is that they would have considered time as an issue of essence in the whole operation.

Fast, timely and calculated efforts would have slowed or ultimately stopped the cult from using chemical weapons to kill and injure innocent Japanese people.There is a key lesson that the U.S law enforcement agencies, intelligence bureaus and other public service organizations could use. It is majorly the handling and containing of threatening groups. As shown by the Japanese agencies, failure to contain a rising and presumably lethal terrorist group at the early stages can lead to detrimental effects such as loss of innocent lives.

Therefore, it is essential to act fast upon any public outcry. More so, there is an inherent need for the above mentioned institutions to monitor acquisition of weapons especially by groups that show intentions of interfering with peace of the society or the nation in general. It is hard to contain activities of terrorist at advanced stages. It is often a case of too little too late. Eventually, people end up losing their lives out of a situation that could be controlled. The case of Japan is certainly a good lesson.

ReferenceShreeve, T. W. (2000). Terror in Tokyo. The Intelligence Community Case Method Program.