A bizarre cult that bears an uncanny resemblance to the early days of the Aum Shinrikyo group has captivated the nation. Calling themselves Pana Wave Laboratory and living in a caravan of vehicles covered in mysterious stickers, the most striking thing is that everything is white. Their vans, clothes, glasses, face masks, but most strangely they cover any area they occupy with white sheets. The effect is like an eerie protective cocoon and the group claim it is to protect them from harmful electromagnetic waves. Their usual excuse for not allowing TV cameras, cars or other electrical devices anywhere near them is that one of their members — believed to be cult guru Chino Yuko (69) — has terminal cancer as a result of “attacks” from such “weapons.” The group has been moving around western Japan for several years, taking over sections of remote public roads, and caught the public imagination again after a recent TV report. According to one expert, “This is a cult in its terminal phase. Its delusions are getting deeper and it appears less concerned about run-ins with the outside world.” Even Japan’s Police Agency chief has said the group “resembles Aum in its early days.”