TOKYO - The Japanese doomsday cult guru Shoko Asahara (41), charged with masterminding last year's nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway, said yesterday he was reluctantly stepping down as leader of Aum Supreme Truth in a move that surprised his defence lawyers.
Mr Asahara, while recalling he had twice tried to commit suicide since his arrest last year, said he had already written to his disciples to advise them of the offer.