<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This article analyses the discussion of Aum Shinrikyō in letters to the editor of one of the major Japanese newspapers, Asahi Shinbun, through the method of qualitative content analysis. The examination focuses on two aspects of the letters in order to uncover how Aum is understood and localised in a bigger context: first, how Aum itself is discussed, and second, what topics are brought up in relation to the group. The analysis reveals that Aum was rarely referred to as a cult or a false religion, but more often merely as a religion, which is subsequently associated with negative notions. The majority of letters, however, did not specify the nature of Aum at all. This is congruent with the topics covered in the letters, since the content of a large portion of them is not concerned with Aum directly but with a more abstract critique of society and authorities. Letters to the editor of Asahi Shinbun for a large part do not make use of sensationalist wording, all the while expressing a critical stance towards the movement, and additionally they focus on a critique of the dealings with Aum prior to and after the subway attack in 1995.</p>
</abstract>

This article analyses the discussion of Aum Shinrikyō in letters to the editor of one of the major Japanese newspapers, Asahi Shinbun, through the method of qualitative content analysis. The examination focuses on two aspects of the letters in order to uncover how Aum is understood and localised in a bigger context: first, how Aum itself is discussed, and second, what topics are brought up in relation to the group. The analysis reveals that Aum was rarely referred to as a cult or a false religion, but more often merely as a religion, which is subsequently associated with negative notions. The majority of letters, however, did not specify the nature of Aum at all. This is congruent with the topics covered in the letters, since the content of a large portion of them is not concerned with Aum directly but with a more abstract critique of society and authorities. Letters to the editor of Asahi Shinbun for a large part do not make use of sensationalist wording, all the while expressing a critical stance towards the movement, and additionally they focus on a critique of the dealings with Aum prior to and after the subway attack in 1995.

The “Aum Incident” as a Catalyst for Societal Critique: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor of <italic>Asahi Shinbun</italic> on Aum Shinrikyō

Vienna Journal of East Asian Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The “Aum Incident” as a Catalyst for Societal Critique: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor of  on Aum Shinrikyō

This article analyses the discussion of Aum Shinrikyō in letters to the editor of one of the major Japanese newspapers, Asahi Shinbun, through the method of...

The “Aum Incident” as a Catalyst for Societal Critique: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor of Asahi Shinbun on Aum Shinrikyō

Published Online: Aug 13, 2021

Page range: 177 - 209

Received: Apr 08, 2021

Accepted: Apr 25, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2021-0006

Keywords
Aum Shinrikyō, cult debate, media, content analysis, discourse of religion

© 2021 Patricia Sophie Mayer, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The “Aum Incident” as a Catalyst for Societal Critique: An Analysis of Letters to the Editor of Asahi Shinbun on Aum Shinrikyō

Published Online: Aug 13, 2021

Page range: 177 - 209

Received: Apr 08, 2021

Accepted: Apr 25, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/vjeas-2021-0006

KeywordsAum Shinrikyō, cult debate, media, content analysis, discourse of religion

© 2021 Patricia Sophie Mayer, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Aum Shinrikyō, cult debate, media, content analysis, discourse of religion