Death penalty debate remains muted in Japan 1 year after AUM executions

July marks one year since the founder and 12 former senior members of the AUM Shinrikyo cult were executed after being convicted of murders, including the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.The executions could have sparked a vigorous debate on the death penalty in Japan, but they have not led to any major movement calling for its abolition despite international criticism, and polls suggest many Japanese are supportive of capital punishment.The unprecedented group execution of AUM founder Shoko Asahara, whose real name was Chizuo Matsumoto, and the former senior members occurr…READ FULL ARTICLE