The Tokyo High Court sentenced former senior Aum Shinrikyo member Yoshihiro Inoue to death on Friday, overturning a lower court ruling of life in prison.
The high court determined that Inoue's role as an "overall coordinator" of the 1995 sarin gas attack on Tokyo's subway system was as important as of those who actually released the deadly gas.
Friday's ruling brought the number of senior Aum members sentenced to death to 13, including cult founder Shoko Asahara. Five other followers have received life sentences.