Former Aum Shinrikyo executive Fumihiro Joyu, who later founded Hikari no Wa (The Circle of Rainbow Light) which is one of the splinter groups, offered his apologies once again Friday to people affected by the doomsday cult but said he is no longer part of the original group.

"As I also bear a heavy responsibility, I would like to apologize to the victims," he told a news conference, although adding, "I have left Aleph more than 10 years ago, and I don't have any special feelings (for Asahara)."

Joyu said he first learned about the executions of Aum founder Shoko Asahara and six other condemned cult members during a telephone call Friday morning from an acquaintance.