According to the Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery, destructive cults are "groups that, when attempting to recruit followers, try to cause mental distress in order to gradually separate potential recruits from society and act on the basis of the cult's theories."

The memory of the series of attacks by Aum Shinrikyo in 1995 is still fresh in our minds. The abnormal behavior of the leader of Aum Shinrikyo and his followers can be explained as mind control. The followers of Aum committed crimes at the behest of their leader, with some even committing indiscriminate murder.

Unfortunately, various cults, including destructive cults, are always attempting to recruit followers on the Higashi-Hiroshima Campus. Once you become involved in a cult, you will soon become a victim of manipulation and mind control, where you will have the false sense that you are making your own decisions.

Cults often recruit followers at the Spanish Square and the square in front of the Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences Lecture Hall. Cult followers will often engage in conversation with you when you are sitting or walking alone. They will be friendly and say, "Why don't you join us in thinking about the purpose of your life? Let's enjoy a meal together. The entrance fee for new students is free today!"

They will always try to take you somewhere else. They won't mention religion at first and instead might play sports, sing songs, or offer you a meal. After getting closer to you and making it more difficult for you to refuse to see them again, they will start to talk about things related to their religion.

They will never say that they are part of a cult. They won't tell you the name of their organization or they might provide you with a false name. They will often pretend to be an organization related to sports (such as volleyball or soccer), music (choir, jazz, gospel, etc) or involved in volunteer activities.

Recruiters don't feel that they belong to a cult, so they are truly sincere, very serious, and polite when talking to you.

Ask the recruiter his or her name, what year, faculty and department he or she is in, what the name of his or her organization is, what its purposes are and what expenses are required. They will often give up if you ask them enough questions.

Never join immediately, even if you want to. Tell the recruiter that you want time to think it over. Don't accept their offer even if they say that there will never be another opportunity if you miss out on this chance - and don't feel uncomfortable if you run into the recruiter again on campus.

If you go to a cult meeting, leave by making a promise to visit again in the future, but don't feel guilty about breaking it. The most important thing to remember is never to go back.

If they visit your home, tell them that you will call the police. If they refuse to leave, call the police immediately by dialing 110.

Do not attend the cult's meetings alone to talk about withdrawing.

Before doing anything else, visit the North Health Service Center on the 1st floor of the Administration Building (Tel: 082-424-6187). Experienced counselors are available to assist you.