Statements Concerning Itezono

Statement of Genzaburo OKI (9 Nov - 13 Nov 47):

On 16 January OKI prepared a report for the Min. of 1st Demob, stating that IDEZONO and others were related to this case.

In second report of OKI the 2nd execution was reported as 10 August rather than 12, and it stated that TOMOMORI went to the scene only as an observer, not as in the 1st report, which states that IDEZONO reported the coming executionof August 12 to TOMOMORI, and TOMOMORI agreed to it and said that he only observed, this in the presence of IDEZONO, who then said that if TOMOMORI says that he only came alibng to watch to state it that way, hut after TOMOMORI left the room IDEZONO stated that TOMOMORI was the highest ranking Officer present, and this was his way of escaping responsibility.

Statement of Koshi YUKINO (23 Oct. 47);

YUKINO was responsible for the Prisoners while in the LS detention barracks. KUSUMOTO about 8 August ordered him to release 8 prisoners, which he did, and turned them over to ITEZONO, put them on a truck and ITEZONO got in the cab of the truck. YUKINO later heard they were taken to Aburayama and executed.

Statement of Minehiro OHNO (8 July 47):

Col TOMOMORI issued the'order of execution to ITEZONO, who asked for Officers to step forward and take part. When no one did, ITEZONO ordered 2 from the Staff Section.

Statement of Masahiko NARAZAKI (7 Oct. 47):

IDEZONO was NARAZAKI's superior; TOMOMORI directly over IDEZONO. About 9-10 August NARAZAKI went to Abirayama. Saw IDEZONO and a group of soldiers. IDEZONO said to TOMOMORI that since NARAZAKI was good at kendo, let him perform the executions. IDEZONO told 2nd Lt. ONO, who had already a drawn sword in his hands and was ready to execute a kneeling flyer, to wait, that NARAZAKI would perform the execution; whereupon IDEZONO said, MNARAZAKI, you will perform the execution. Use the 'Kesagiri’ stroke." NARAZAKI first thought he would refuse the order, but when he saw TOMOMORI and the LS Officer, he thought the executions were legal. IDEZONO also told him to pierce the flyer through the heart, which he did.

Statement of Takashi OTSUKI (3-9 July 1947):

In June 1945 OTSUKI was sent to WAH and worked on guerrilla warfare and tactics under KISHIMOTO and ITEZONO until 12 August. On the morning of 9 August ITEZONO ordered OTSUKI to take croww-bow equipment to Aburayama. ITEZONO ordered the Pris­oners blindfolded and taken to the place of execution. ITEZONO told OTSUKI to prepare the bow and arrow. He tested by firing an arrow at a tree. OTSUKI believes ITEZONO ordered a 2nd Lt. to cut the head of the 1st Prisoner. ITEZONO ordered OTSUKI to shoot the 7th Prisoner with a bow and arrow. ITEZONO instructed in the shooting, and when that method failed, he said to NARASAKI ’’Cut off the neck", or "Finish it up."

ITEZONO coached in the proper method of striking the Prisoners. On 15 August OTSUKI had all the bows and arrows burned under ITEZONO's orders.

Statement of TOKUJI ENATSU (23 Sep - 31 Oct 1947):

ITEZONO said the first execution would be by bow and arrow; that it was quite effective. ENATSU faintly recalls ITEZONO saying something about a Christian prayer and cross. ITEZONO instructed in the shooting. After the first flyer was executed, ITEZONO announced that the next would be killed by using karate.

SATO ordered ITEZONO to test the guerrilla tactics during the execution, OTSUKI learned 1-2 days later from ITEZONO.

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Statement of Kiyoharu TOMOMORI (20 Jan 47 - 20 Mar 47):

ITEZONO acted as head of guerrilla unit in Fukuoka. On one occasion ITEZONO asked TOMOMORI to make a speech to the guerrilla unit to familiarize it with the function of the civ. nat’l defense units, hut he had no other connection with the unit. ITEZONO also conferred with TOMOMORI about regulations concerning the guerrilla unit.

About 1700 - 1800 6 August, ITEZONO told TOMOMORI there would be an execution of PCS’ the next day. ITEZONO said he was thinking of takkng the younger Officer of the guerrilla unit with him. At the execution site TOMOMORI noticed ITEZONO and other Officers standing at the end of the pit. ITEZONO and others stood next to it.

After execution was finished ITEZONO ordered the observers to assemble, to salute; TOMOMORI ordered them not to salute, but the order had been given, so TOMOMORI re­turned it.

TOMOMORI talked to ITEZONO on 1 February, and asked himto correct his version that he had told TOMOMORI of the torture and illegality of the day before; that he had made an error.

On 3 Feb. ITEZONO and TOMOMORI went to OKI whereat ITEZONO told him that he had not mentioned anything to TOMOMORI the day prior of the illegality of the executions.

Statement of OKI:

Statement of Tatsuo ITEZONO (about 9 Jan.): ITEZONO had nothing to do with the 20 June execution, but was on the scene of the 12 August execution, was ordered by SATO to have the Officers and PWs of the commando unit under his charge execute the flight personnel, which he carried out.

As to the 12 June execution ITEZONO said, "How about punishing them?"

On the night ofabout 30 June SUZUKI showed OKI his written orders, which included the following persons to be investigated: ITEZONO and others.

Prior to 12 August, ITEZONO told TOMOMORI that the flyers would be executed the next day said he’d take his men. SATO told ITEZONO that he could not go and wanted him to take charge of the execution.. ITEZONO believed the execution the result of a trial ordered by the CG.

Statement of Minehiro OHNO (23 Dec 47):

ITEZONO told OHNO that they were going to execute the flyers. He assembled the Japs and told TOMOMORI the executions should start at once. ITEZONO then said, "Someone. perform an execution". Some stepped out and ITEZONO or ENATSU then wrote down the names of the participants.

A group of guerrillas arrived and reported to ITEZONO. OHNO believes that ITEZONO also said that NARAZAKI should pierce the heart. ITEZONO instructed in the shotting with arrows.

After the executions ITEZONO then assembled all present in two rows, saluted TOMOMORI and reported mission accomplished.

Before executions started ITEZONO stated that the Prisoners were B-29 crew members.

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In all incidents TOMOMORI either gave orders directly or through ITEZONO.

Statement of Tokuta KONDO (25 Nov. 47):

KONDO gave ITEZONO weapons aid ammo, pistols and bullets. Non-combustible items were dumped into Hakata harbor by ITEZONO and others.

Statement of Teruo ONO (11 Dec 47):

ONO studied guerrilla warfare under ITEZONO.

On morning of 12 August ITEZONO said executions would take place that day. ITEZONO was teaching use of bow and arrows in case of invasion.

TOMOMORI told ITEZONO that he should let the young men perform the executions; ITEZONO then announced that all volunteers should get together. Eefore the 1st execution ITEZONO said karate would be practiced. After the use of karate ITEZONO said that there had been enough and that there would then be bow and arrow executions. After trying this awhile ITEZONO said that was enough and the Prisoner was executed by either OHNO or the LS Camp. When OHNO failed to sever the head of the next to the last prisoner, ITEZONO said to kill this Prisoner, and OHNO jabbed the Prisoner with his sword. ITEZONO suggested NAGASAKI execute the last because he was better at kendo. TOMOMORI and ITEZONO showed no emotions as to the execution.

Statement of Itaru MAJIRI:

Persons connected with the guerrilla unit: Maj. ITEZONO and others.

Statement of Hidehiko NODA:

At WAH NODA received training under ITEZONO of civilian training for home defense; trained in kendo.

At execution ITEZONO took his position on the right of the formation. After the bow and arrow execution didn’t go off so well, ITEZONO told OTSUKI to stop and ordered the flyer to be executed. ITEZONO asked if there was someone present who was good at karate; then said, ’’NODA, step forward and demonstrate a karate stroke.” Told him to try it on the flyer. After two blows ITEZONO told him to stop, and the flyer was then led to the pit and executed.

ITEZONO instructed YAMAUE to try karate on the last, or 8th flyer. ITEZONO instructed PO NARAZAKI to execute another by cutting his neck. He then assembled the personnel as before.

ITEZONO directed the execution under TOMOMORI. AEter the war ITEZONO told NODA he believed the flyers had been tried in court.

After Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, about 12 Aug, SATO ordered ITEZONO and his raiding unit to Aburayama to execute about 8 flyers. ITEZONO agreed for the purpose of raising morale of the raiding unit. [Marginal Note: Oki Statement ]

Statement of Kozo NISHIDA:

NISHIDA was assigned to WAH movements governed by liaison with the Survey Office under ITEZONO.

At the scene of execution a pit had been dug near the pine wood, they arriving about 1000. When they gathered, ITEZONO said, ’’OTSUKI, let me see you test this one.” He tested the bow end arrow; then ITEZONO then tested them. ITEZONO ordered the Prisoner beheaded.

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Statement of Kanji TOSHIBA (6-9 Feb 48):

ITEZONO announced the begining of the execution of American airmen according to sequence in line.. On completion ITEZONO ordered assembly and TOMOMORI said the victims were not PWs but enemy airmen who burned homes, etc.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU:

ITEZONO was in command of 10 August execution.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU (31 Mar 48):

About 12 August at Aburayama IDEZONO was giving orders; told TOMOMORI that they were ready to begin; that they were going to use bows and arrows; TOMOMORI asked if archery would be effective; IDEZONO replied in the affirmative. TOMOMORI spoke to IDEZONO about crosses.

The first flyer was shot by bow and arrow, but inaccurate so abandoned and they be~ headed him. IDEZONO then said body blows would be used on next; they discussed karate.

The next day or the day thereafter IDEZONO told ENATSU SATO ordered the executions.

Western Demob Judicial Cant Report to 1st Demob re Fivers. 16 Jan 48:

On 12 August SATO ordered ITEZONO to have the guerrilla unit execute at Aburayama approximately 8 flyers, and he agreed to promote the morale of his subordinates, then notified his superior, TOMOMORI, who gave his approval, and was present at the execution on same morning.

Statement of Takanobu KAKU (16 Sep 48):

KAKU trained at Nakano School of Intelligence (guerrilla warfare) at WAH under Maj. ITEZONO and KISHIMOTO.

ITEZONO or TOMOMORI said to try karate. ITEZONO turned to PWs on the right (including KAKU) and said "You fellows try karate". KAKU believes ITEZONO's intention was to kill the flyers by karate.

Statement of Itaru BAJIRI:

On the dayof the execution an order of KISHIMOTO, BAJIRI sorted out property from the American Prisoners. BAJIRI then recalls an assembly when ITEZONO stated that the next day they were to execute Flyers.

Statement of Nobushige MASUZAKI (29-30 Sept 48);

Assigned to WAH under -ITEZONO. On morning of August 10 ITEZONO and OHTSUKI and other assembled in front of barracks where 7-8 Prisoners were entrucked. They went to the execution site; ITEZONO formed soldiers in 2 lines; designated all officers present to participate in execution and asked for those especially versed in kendo. Either TOMOMORI or ITEZONO ordered NARAZAKI to perform kesagiri on a flyer.