SATO, Y oshin ao S/D (10 December 1947 - ATIS #36953) 15 August 1945 Exec.: FUSUMOTO came to Defendant with his recommdation for execution; YAKUMARU agreed, so Defendant agreed to get authorization of FUKUSHIMA, went to him with KUSUMOTO, who waited at the entrance; FUKUSHIMA did approve it, which Defendant told KUSUMOTO. Around 17 August FUKUSHIMA said the execution was against the Potsdam Declaration. Around 16-17 August FUKUSHIMA assembled the participants of the 15 August execution, said he ordered it and would bear the responsibility. Around 20 November, Defendant visited YOKOYAMA, who told Defendant that he and FUKUSHIMA should take the responsibility of the execution, that trouble to the Emperor would be caused if he assumed it. Defendant told FUKUSHIMA this, who was enraged, resolved to commit suicide with potassium cyanide, which he always kept on himself after the war. Defendant reported the execution to FUKUSHIMA after it was over, who criticised Defendant, not for the execution, but for conducting it in daylight. In November when the staff assembled FUKUSHIMA asked Defendant whether he authorized the 15 August execution, and Defendant told he did, whereupon FUKUSHIMA said he was under the impression he did not. In November, at a meeting, FUKUSHIMA said he did not know there had been execution cases, but this is a falsehood. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - On 20 June 1945 FUKUSHIMA, as the sending authority, affixed his seal to a falsified telegram to the effect that 16 airmen had been kklled by bombing. [Marginal Note: Inada ] |