MATSUMOTO — 1994 · Major Tragedy
The Matsumoto Sarin Attack
In June 1994, sarin nerve gas was released into a residential area in the Japanese city of Matsumoto; the attack killed 7 people and affected more than 140. One victim died after spending a decade in a coma. In the early stage of the investigation, a local resident was wrongly named as a suspect and subjected to prolonged public pressure, an episode that sparked debate in Japan over the presumption of innocence and media ethics. After the Tokyo subway attack occurred a year later, it emerged that both attacks had been carried out by the same cult. Those responsible were tried and sentenced to death.
- Date
- 1994
- Place
- Nagano, Japan, Matsumoto, JP
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 36.2380, 137.9720 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 1994The attack took place (June 27)
- 1994An innocent man was wrongly named as a suspect
- 1995The real perpetrators emerged after the Tokyo attack
- 2018Those responsible were executed
Sources
- Court Records
- Official Report
Source grade C: no linked source yet; details rely on the general press archive. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.