Statements Concerning Morimoto

MORIMOTO. Kenji

Incarcerated in Sugamo 20 July 1946.

[Marginal Note: 10 July to 13 July 1947]

Statement of Morimoto (399). The accused was a doctor and a lecturer in Ishiyama's Surgical Dept. Medical College until 1938. He became a 1st Lt. In the Medical Corps in 1945, then returned as a lecturer in Ishiyama's Surgical Dept, where he lectured to doctors and nor so 8 on sterilization. In addition, he had charge of younger doctors and was assistant to Ishiyama.

He states that he was never present at such operations and then says that Komori told him that a B-29 flier was brought In to be operated on for a shoulder wound in June. Ishiyama stated he had operated on the flier but could not remove the bullet. Torisu gave the same account as Ishiyama.

Morimoto then admits participation In the POW operation by Ishiyama,who assisted by Komori.

The accused made the preparation, took the pulse, kept the in­cision open - this took place in the anatomy room. Torisu, Hirako, and Tsutsui were not present. He "heard" of other operations on POWs from Komori.

Morimoto then states he was ordered by Hirao to assist in an operation on POWs In the autopsy room and also present were Hirao, Senba, Tsutsui, Ishlyana and Komori. Two or three Army guards brought in two or three POWs who were either helped In or carried in on a stretcher? they were brought In one at a time. The ones on a stretcher might have been unconscious.

Two POWs were brought in and placed on the operating table. There were two operations being performed at the same time. Morimoto assisted Komori and Ishiyama. Ishiyama made an Incision on the upper part of the chest. Komori stated this was to remove a bullet from the lung - the accused saw no bullet wound in the chest and no bullet was removed. He feels that*there is a possibility. lt might have been an experimental operation.

When Morimoto left, the POW was very close to death. On the other table Senba and Hirao operated. Morimoto heard later the POWs died. Ishiyama remained In the operating room with Komori. This operation took place the latter part of May 1945 or the 1st of June.

Statement of Tsutsui (399). Accused was a participant in the first operation and she believes, In the second and third operations.

Statement of Senba (399). Senba believes that the accused participated in the stomach operation.

Suicide note of Ishiyama (399). The accused was ordered by Ishiyama to perform such operations.

[Marginal Note: To remove bullet from lung, might approach from lung. In...... injury, approach the ..............  approach, and not necessarily the ..... one ]