DOOMSDAY cult leader Shoko Asahara, saying his life was unimportant, sullenly defied and challenged judges on the opening day of his mass murder trial for masterminding the Tokyo subway gas attack.

Asahara refused to enter a plea or give his correct name, questioned what clothes he could wear in court, and said he pitied people who had not attained his state of ``absolute truth''.

Victims and relatives of the dead who won seats in the court said they were disgusted at Asahara's behaviour.

In what the media have dubbed Japan's trial of the century, Asahara, leader of Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth Sect), stands accused of poison gas attacks on five subway trains which killed 11 people and harmed about 5500.

Ten disciples are accused of releasing sarin nerve gas on the trains during the morning rush hour on March 20 last year.

A defiant Asahara, who is nearly blind, went on trial amid massive security and unprecedented media scrutiny, including 18 helicopters which hovered over the Tokyo District Court.

Thousands queued for just 48 courtroom seats, decided by a lottery, to glimpse in the flesh a man who has become Japan's most notorious celebrity.

Asahara, 41, who looked slimmer than when he was arrested last May but still sported his trademark tied-back long hair and a long beard, turned the opening minutes into an argument about whether he could wear his sect clothes and use his cult name.

Then, in the climax of the first day's proceedings six hours later, he declined to plead on charges of murder, attempted murder, and illegal drug production which could lead to his hanging.

In a rambling answer to the court's question of how he pleaded, Asahara replied: ``Those who have not learned the truth are suffering from not knowing it, and I pity those who don't know the truth.

``I have no concern for the fact that I have been denied liberty or that I have been placed under pain. I have no concern for my life. I have nothing else to say.''

When Chief Judge Fumihiro Abe asked again for his plea, Asahara replied: ``I have nothing else to say.''

Most of the day was taken up by prosecutors reading the names of the 11 dead and thousands of injured.

Asahara feigned indifference to the proceedings, shutting his eyes, occasionally fidgeting, and twice briefly taking off his shirt to cool himself.

Abe and two other judges will determine Asahara's guilt or innocence and decide his sentence. Japan does not have a jury system, and it is not mandatory for defendants to enter a plea.

The long-awaited trial, which was delayed from last October because Asahara sacked his lawyer at the last minute, is the culmination of a crime that shattered Japan's image as a safe society.

Even Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's thoughts were on the case. ``It feels like the day has finally arrived,'' he said.

Asahara, whose real name is Chizuo Matsumoto, was led into court by two officers tightly holding his arms which were handcuffed in front. He was attached to the officers by a rope around his waist.

Speaking in public for the first time since his arrest, Asahara described his occupation as ``Leader of Aum Shinri Kyo''. He refused to acknowledge his real name and told the judges he had forgotten his address.

``Aren't you Chizuo Matsumoto?''Chief Judge Abe asked. ``I threw away that name,'' Asahara replied.

Judge Abe rejected a defence request that Asahara should be allowed to wear his cult's long white robes instead of the dark blue prison tracksuit in which he was dressed because the robes had a ``religious meaning'' and would influence cult witnesses.

Legal experts said Asahara's demand to use his cult name and be allowed to wear sect clothing signalled that defence lawyers may fight the case on the issue of freedom of religion, arguing that Asahara was being persecuted for his religious beliefs.

Asahara set up Aum Shinri Kyo, which combined Buddhist and Hindu meditation, in 1987 with a few followers, attracting new members with promises of supernatural powers.

The defence team for the trial, which could take up to five years, comprised 12 lawyers appointed by the court.

Police say Asahara's cult stockpiled weapons and lethal gas in an Armageddon-like plot to bring down the Japanese government and take over the country. He faces 14 other similar charges in separate trials that have not yet started.

``The trial is a shame and disgrace for Japan and its people,'' said one of the spectators, businessman Kenji Osawa, 51. ``The world now sees Japan as a dangerous country.''-Reuter.