Statements Concerning Ito

ITO, Shoshin (aka AKINOBU):

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

In September 1945 ITO reported in Tokyo to FUJII in OKI’s presence that about 140 flyers had been executed at WAH without trial. About 15 December OYAMA told OKI that it appeared that ITO was mmxed up, that OKI should go to Fukuoka and investigate, replacing ITO. Prior to this ITO came to Tokyo, said that OKI would find that he was not connected. OKI arrived in Fukuoka 2 Jan 46 and saw report that ITO and others were related to this case.

The notes burned in late January contained information from FUKUSHIMA and ITO as to there having been 4 series of executions (one probably the KIU incident.) They con­tained the statement that ITO said that ISA was present in YOKOYAMA's room when ITO reported that the flyers had been reported killed in the 19 June airraid.

A 16 Jan 46 report states that WAKO conveyed orders to ITO to try the 4 flyers should have been known to be illegal, but this is enclosed in red parenthesis and appears slightly crossed out because ITO became angry when hearing of this, and told. OKI he first knew of the executions on 20 June when he went to the scene.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI (15 April 46):

Of about 15 witnessing the execution, TOJI remembers ITO and others.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU (31 Oct 47):

ITO, through ENATSU made request for investigation involving 8 flyers.

The prosecutor or CG was responsible for determining whether or not a trial. The Chief of WAH LS seemed responsible for conducting the investigation. In the one case of 7-8, the Chief of WAH LS (ITO) ordered the KT to conduct the investigation.

About mid May ITO told ENATSU that SATO had recommended to him that PCS’ be executed without trial, that such was impossible, that they should be tried by a military commission, that he was going to order- the KT to conduct an investigation. ENATSU conveyed this order to TAKADA, who ordered Maj. Seijuro ONO to conduct it, who reported to ITO, conducted it with KOTEGAWA and an unknown sgt. major.

ITO stated that it was decided at the staff Officers conference that all of the PCS would be tried by a military commission, that it would be necessary to compile acc­urate evidence for the trial, asked ENATSU the best way to compile it, saying that he thought that the flyers should be charged with indiscriminate bombing. Said this should not be difficult since the PCS would state the date and location where they bombed and if Civilians were killed and houses burned that would be substantial evi­dence. According to what ITO said before the meeting, SATO wanted to execute the flyers without trial, while ITO wanted to bring them to trial. ITO said that during the meeting, SATO recommended that the PCS be executed without trial, but that he, ITO, stated they should be tried and that it couldn’t be helped if some were found innocent. ITO then requested the KT investigators consult records of all placed homed to build up evidence.

2-3 days later KOTEGAWA GAve ENATSU statements from 4-5 PCS stating that he would submit them to the LS (33?0) that civilian houses had been bombed.

Statement of Koyoharu TOMOMORI (30 Jan 47 - 20 Mar 47):

On 21 August FUKUSHIMA insisted TOMOMORI go with him to inspect the place of the 20 June execution. That afternoon FUKUSHIMA called a meeting with ITO and others.

ITO - 2

All persons involved in the WA atrocities were called to dinner at Futsukaichi 31 January by NISHIHARA, whichdinner included ITO and others.

OKI report:

About Nov 45 ITO came to Tokyo and spoke to Lt. Gen. FUJII and OKI, stating that about 30 US array flight personnel were executed in the WDA, that WA was thinking of concealing it, FUJII and OKI stating that it was impossible.

About 10 Dec in. Tokyo, OYAMA told OKI that there were indications that ITO was connected with the executions, that OKI would relieve him as Chief of the Judicial Section and investigate the executions. The following day AKITA greeted OKI in Tokyo. 17 Dec OKI received his appointment and ITO became attached to the Inspectorate of Demob. W. Dist. ITO came to Tokyo about 20 Dec., told him he had no connection with the Am executions, but others said he did.

On 20 June ITO reported to YOKOYAMA that all flight personnel died in the bombing; a bystander questioned this and ITO said they were regarded as dying in the bombing.

YOKOYAMA said, "Oh, is that so" and ITO realized that YOKOYAMA had approved. ITO heard after the war of 2 other executions. ITO further said there were executions of flight personnel before 20 June. ITO believed 8 were executed 20 June, that the 4 flyers under investigation were then executed, that the Judicial Section wrote a report stating that the court martial case was closed since the 4 died in the bombing.

ITO, who as chief Pros. Officer and Chief of the Judicial Section knew that 4 flyers were being investigated, but he failed to fulfill his duty of advising the army Commander and agreed to the execution although he was aware that the execution of the approximate 8, including- the specific 4, was a violation of law.

On 20 June ITO expressed a desire to execute the prisoners when he came to the Air Defense Operations Boom.

SATO's orders to executed without trial were mentioned to ITO, who agreed to the execution despite his responsibility to advise the CO'of the illegality and knowing that 4 flyers were being investigated by the Pros. Officer WZ.

About 30 Jan SUZUKI showed ITO his written orders, which included ITO and others to be investigated.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI (2 Jan 48):

On 20 June TOJI saw a number of men running to the SW area of the compound by the creek; he stopped on e, learned there was an execution PWs, so he went there, saw SATO and ITO standing with others, several yards from the pit. ITO was the highest ranking officer present.

Statement of Kazuo ISA (9 Aug 47):

ISA talked to ITO “quite often.”

Statement of Minehiro OHNO (23 Dec. 47):

OHNO names ITO and others as being present at 20 June execution.

Statement of Shigiyoshi SUZUKI:

ITO told SUZUKI that he had no previous knowledge of the 20 June execution, went only on noticing a large crowd.

OKI Report (2nd):

Hostility by bombing (19 Jun) of some staff members was arroused to point where they felt flyers should be given deathwithout court martial, including SATO, who instructed Capt. WAKO, member of the judicial Section and CO of the Fukuoka Army Stockade, to have members of Judicial Sec (GEN ITO) kill 8 flyers interned in the Fukuoka army stockade and at the internment cp for enemy flyers at hq on 20 June, the 19 June bombing to be given as a reason for the deaths, and such was carried out.

Reason for deletion of/Gen ITO's statement: According to Ito’s statement of 4 Jan he knew of the execution and how matters after the execution would be/handled because of a report from WAKO, approved because he thought it was the idea of higher authorities. In spite of this ITO’S statement of 2 Feb states he was off the post during the morning of 20 Jun that he was told of the execution on his return in the afternoon,,saw about 3 killings, later received from WAKO the report of the execution. Since doubt, whole statement deleted.

Statement of Sadayoshi MURATA (15 Oct 46):

On his return SATO said that he extracted from war ministry document files the report which stated that 16 men had burned to death in the 19 June raid and returned with them, intended to burn them in Fukuoka, that he had requested by telephone that the "copies" of these documents sent from WA Judicial Sec. (GEN ITO) to the War Ministry Judicial Bureau be burned since he had no opportunity to go there, that he talked to a col. (only col in Judicial Bureau at that time was OKI) who answered that all documents at the Judicial Bureau pertaining to BWs had already been burned.

Gen ITO was asked to write a report to conform with the Oprs. Dept, plans, but he refused and as a result was relieved of his position around December and, replaced by OKI who was either bribed or forced to write a false report.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI:

Present at the execution were ITO and others. Since the execution was public, before ITO and others, TOJI decided it was the result of a formal military court.

Report from Western Demob to 1st Demob Minister of 16 Jan 46 "Treatment of Enemy Flyers":

WAKO conveyed, SATO's that WAKO have LS personnel kill the 8 confined, to ITO, and ITO should have known the orders were illegal and corrected this action, but instead approved the order.

Statement of TOJI:

Gen ITO and others were present at the execution.

Report (Japanese) as to Transfer of B-39 Pilots to Army (possibly written by Yanase):

About the latter part of May, on request of ITO, Maj. ONO obtained permission of Col. TAKADA to conduct an investigation of pilots for purposes of educating and training his subordinates. After this was over, the pilots were turned over to the WA Military Courts Martial.

ITO - 4

Report from Western Demob of orders to various areas:

4 Sep - G-en ITO ordered to Tokyo for 5 days to keep in touch with business.

Statement of Fumio TSUBOSHIMA:

The matter of the false report was taken to the Central Committee, where it was decided to send OKI to WAH to investigate, since Gen. ITO seemed implicated.

TSUBOSHIMA removed from the report reference to Gen. ITO and others, since he felt there was not enough proof.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU (31 Mar 48 by McKnight):

In April or May Ito told ENATSU it was decided at staff meeting that all B29 flyers would be tried by military tribunal. Same day ENATSU was called to ITO's office. ITO said if homes were damaged and people killed evidence enough. ITO or SATO had previously said the Flyers should be executed without trial.

Western Demob Report (#38) to 1st Demob, re Flyers of 16 Jan 46:

When WAKO notified INTO of the intent to execute approximately 8 flyers, ITO lightly accepted it as directed by his superior and approved, doing nothing about it. although as Prosecutor of the 4 Flyers, he should have ascertained the facts and corrected or amended the measure.

Interview with Yoshinao SATO at Sugamo on 20 Sept. 48:

The Legal Section (ITO) released the Flyers on 20 June; doesnft know whether JIN was apprised.

Statement of Usei WAKO (11 Deb 48);

Chief of LS (ITO) held the opinion that violations of regulations by Flyers, even if not violation of International Law, i.e., be bombing homes and civilians, must be punished and even if SATO couldn't get the evidence, it would be quite proper to punish the Flyers on the basis of KT evidence.