Doomsday cult growing on the internet

The doomsday cult behind the 1995 deadly gassing on the Tokyo subway is growing steadily and reasserting influence through the Internet, the Japanese government said today.

Aum Shinri Kyo membership has grown by about 150, or 10%, with at least 1,650 followers by the end of last year, the Japanese Justice Ministry said in a report submitted to the Cabinet. About 650 of these are carrying out cult activities at the group’s houses and facilities, it said.