Four relatives of lawyer Tsutsumi Sakamoto, who was allegedly murdered with his wife and son by members of Aum Shinrikyo, have opted for a compromise with the cult in their 490 million yen damages suit now being deliberated by the Yokohama District Court, it was learned Thursday.
The compromise will be formalized in mid-March following a court hearing today for defendant Tomomitsu Niimi, 33, a senior Aum member, the sources said.
According to a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Aum's receiver is expected to acknowledge that the plaintiffs are entitled to about 500 million yen in damages, including interest. But Aum can only afford to pay the four plaintiffs -- including Sachiyo Sakamoto, the 66-year-old mother of the late lawyer -- 20 percent of that amount, the lawyer said.