Aum Shinrikyo will disband its affiliated computer software companies once they complete business orders, according to cult officials.
Aum spokesman Hiroshi Araki and senior member Fumihiro Joyu said at a news conference at the cult's Yokohama branch this week that the companies will be shut down between the end of March and April.
The move follows recent revelations that the companies provided computer systems to numerous government ministries and major companies, including the Metropolitan Police Department.
The companies are not currently developing any systems for government clients, Joyu and Araki claimed.