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S/D (19 Jan 1948) When WAKO came to the Mobilization Office 20 June, he first went to see Major Sunao TSURU, the Sr. Officer there, and about 5 minutes later came to Defendant and said, "There will be an execution of PWs— so, M/Sgt Ikeda, you will come too." Defendant then asked him where he should go, and WAKO told him to later come to the LS. While WAKO was from a different section he could give Defendant orders if he first got permission from the C/S or'Defendant‘s superior Officers - TSURU or Maj. HABASAKI. After Wako left Defendant told 2nd Lt. Koshiro Nakamoto that he would go, then went to TSURU, said “It seems as though the execution of Prisoners of War will be held— so I will go.“ TSURU said “All right.“ Defendant talked to TSURU since there is a rule that TSURU must give permission if one is absent from the office any length of time. When Defendant got to LS detention barracks, WAKO told him to tell SATO that preparation for the executions were ready, which he did, and later WAKO told Defendant to tell SATO that they were waiting for him, whereupon SATO said “All right”. (20 June execution.) Defendant chipped the sword on the 1st Prisoner and returned the sword to WAKO and used his own on the 2nd Prisoner’s execution, wherein the head was severed 3/4 through. Defendant then amends his former statement as to TOJI executing the remaining Prisoners by stating that he did not know that was his name at the time, but heard later. Defendant felt that the orders of the execution of the Prisoners had come from YOKOYAMA.
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