Interview with Yoshinao SATO at Sugamo on 20 Sept. 1948. 1. SATO "believes" there were two Major Generals at the 20 June execution, cannot say definitely that the second was HORIUCHI (the 1st was ITO). However, it was not FUKUSHIMA, TABATA (of Finance) or other one, so by elimination must have been him. In Jan. or Feb, 1946, TOJI told SATO of two Major Generals being present. 2. On 15 August 1945, at YAMAIE, there was a meeting of the Staff Officers, including HORIUCHI, where it was decided that they would claim no knowledge of the atrocities. SATO was not there. 3. YOKOYAMA told SATO that INADA bribed FUKUSHIMA not to implicate him. 4. On 9 August 1945 (the day before the karate execution), TOMOMORI reported to Yamaie Headquarters and reported as' to the manner of the next day’s execution (to INADA?) SATO understands that this report was made to INADA. 5. ITEZONO stated that on 11 August or on 10 August after the execution, TOMOMORI reported it, and AKITA told SATO, TOMOMORI reported it to him. 6. At the SUZUKI investigation, INADA was confronted by TOMOMORI, who told INADA that he ordered it or knew of it, whereupon INADA said not to mention it. 7. During the air-raid (1920 Jun 45) FUKUSHIMA telephoned INADA, said "let" give them the works." INADA wanted to know who was then taking the flyers out of the stockade, suggested they let them bum. A Lt. Col. was present and heard this conversation— of an air intelligence unit, under whom TOJI worked. Defendant believes his name started "MAT-----" (Note: Lt. Col, Hachiro HAMADA of the 6th Air Force was the immediate superior officer of TOJI). 8. The Legal Section (ITO) released the flyers on 20 June, doesn't know whether JIN was apprised. 9. A wire from 2A sent on 15 August 1945 and received on 15 or 16 August 1945 (???) instructed Western Army to destroy all evidence concerning the flyers. YAKUMARU told Sato the wire contained a phrase to execute the remaining flyers, but SATO cannot recall whether it was that explicit, but understands that that was the tenor. This communication was sent out by OYA. In October or November 1945, OYA told SATO it should not now be interpreted that way since it vrould embarass 2A. 10. YAKUMARU and not SATO was the #1 man in charge of the flyers. AIHARA was under YAKUMARU's command and never SATO's, but SATO, after 15 August, agreed to take responsibility of YAKUMARU. In the 27 June 1945 report of the 16 (burned in the airraid), YAKUMARU's name appears as Chief or Officer in Charge of the flyers, with SATO's han as Assistant. It was YAKUMARU who took the document through staff section. |