Statements Concerning Minoru Nakamura

NAKAMURA (Minoru) LT.

Statement of Yukino (30 Sept 1947) At about 1700 on 15 Aug Kusumoto ordered Yukino to have Lt. Nakamura bring the ashes of the Americans who were executed and who were cremated that day to his office. At 0900 on 16 August Nakamura came to Yukino, told him the cremation was completed and that he had buried bones, representing the Prisoners on 15 August in the military cemetery. Yukino ordered him to dig up the bones, bring them to Yukino. Nakamura brought the box of ashes back about 1030. There were 16 separate envelopes in the box contain­ing the ashes, the box was about 10" x 8" x 8".

Nakamura and Yukino took the envelopes out, wrapped them in a large piece of paper, and placed the one package back in the box. Yukino then took the box to Kusumoto, who told Kusumoto, who told Yukino to let it on the shelf in his office.

About 25-26 Aug Kusumoto told Yukino to bring the ashes from the temple to his office, which he did, Sato being there.at the time. Kusumoto then said to break up the bones into small bits, suggested scattering them in the mountains or ocean. Yukino and Nakamura took the packages containing the ashes of 16 flyers to Hirao and buried them, taking them out of the paper; the box was left at the temple; the priest was instructed to destroy it. They tore up the envelopes and threw them away,

Nakamura told Yukino he had shown the burial spot to an Occupation Forces member and had helped recover the ashes.

Statement of Narazaki (7 Oct 1947) About 9-10 Aug, execution - Narazaki saw a LS Capt, Capt. Nakamura, he thinks (Lt. ?).

Statement or Report of Oki (ATIS translation) Nakamura cremated the bodies after the execution of 15 Aug., including the remains of those previously killed, which were brought by the Judicial Section. Kusumoto ordered remation at Aburayama Crematorium. The ashes were placed in 2 wooden boxes, one large, one small, the small one buried in the Hirao hills, the large one thrown in the sea. Nakamura was with Murata when the one box was thrown in the sea on order of Sato with Yukino, who asked to go along, when they buried the other box in Hirao.