The government remains committed to its plan to draw up a new law to specifically restrict the activities of Aum Shinrikyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka said Thursday.
His comment came one day after the cult announced it will terminate all its external activities and temporarily suspend the use of its name beginning today.
Aum failed to deliver its expected apology Wednesday over crimes for which its senior members are on trial, and Nonaka said this shows doubts remain about whether the cult has changed its heretofore dangerous nature.