The Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's Office filed an appeal Friday with the Tokyo High Court to change the life prison term handed to senior Aum Shinrikyo figure Yoshihiro Inoue to capital punishment.
The Tokyo District Court on June 6 sentenced Inoue to life for his role in 10 crimes, including the 1995 nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.
Prosecutors, who had demanded the death penalty, said they were not satisfied with the sentence. The lower court rejected their argument that Inoue played a key role in the nerve gas attack. The district court held that Inoue's role in the attack involved only logistic support and coordination. It also took into account the fact that Inoue had shown regret for his conduct during his trial.