:: May 07, 2003 :: Is Japanese cult serious or seeking publicity? Japanese authorities continue to closely monitor a strange "cult" called "Pana Wave." The nomadic group's eerie caravan of white vans continues to roam across Japan, reports The Japan Times. Pana Wave's leader Yuko Chino makes increasingly strange pronouncements and proclamations. In one statement the 69-year-old woman said, "approach of the Nibiru star will be delayed nearly a week from Monday, and those who do not listen to this message will face death." This may mean her previous prophecy that the world would end May 15th has been "delayed." Chino claims she is dying from cancer, which her followers attribute to a conspiracy by "extremists" and "radicals" bombarding her with "harmful electromagnetic transmissions." Pana Wave members wear white to protect themselves from these alleged death rays. In one recent interview the cult's leader said that a baby seal "would spare mankind from certain destruction," reports Mainichi Daily News. It must be understood that the Japanese have good reason to be disturbed by doomsday cults. After all, in 1995 the city of Tokyo endured a poison gas attack launched by the doomsday cult called Aum. Aum's leader Shoko Asahara, much like Yuko Chino, fed his followers with constant prophecies of coming catastrophe. Eventually, this madman personally fulfilled his dark visions by creating a catastrophe himself that sent thousands of Japanese to hospitals and killed twelve. Asahara's long trial only recently ended and he is likely to be sentenced to death by hanging. However, it is also possible that Chino and her cult following are simply publicity seekers. After all, most cult leaders are ego-driven and appear to need and feed upon attention. Despite reports that the Pana Wave leader will die in days, it seems Ms. Chino is well enough to do demanding interviews and prepare public statements, reports BBC. It may be that Pana Wave has more in common with a "cult" called the Raelians than it does with Aum. The Raelians and their leader "Rael" (Claude Vorilhon) became known through a series of publicity stunts. The most recent was the claim that they had produced the "first human clone," which now appears to have been a deliberate hoax. Perhaps Chino like Rael craves the media spotlight. And the strange activities of Pana Wave are cynically calculated to garner as much attention for the cult and its leader as possible. Let's hope so. After the horrors of Aum the Japanese could use a good laugh. [Posted by Rick Ross at 02:23 PM][Link] ... « "Cults" with clout on Capital Hill | Main | Pana Wave leader known as "weirdo" growing up »