The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence handed to former Aum Shinrikyo cult member Yoshihiro Inoue for his role in 10 crimes, including the March 1995 sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.

The court said Inoue, 39, "played an indispensable, important role" in the gas attack that killed 12 people and sickened thousands.

Inoue is the ninth former Aum Shinrikyo member to have his death sentence finalized in connection with crimes committed by the cult.

He was sentenced to life in prison by the Tokyo District Court, but the Tokyo High Court overturned the ruling and handed down the death sentence in May 2004.