Statements Concerning Yoshinao Sato

SATO, YOSHINAO

Statement of Sato (420, 20 April 1947)

Yokoyama told Wako "It is all right to have the execution without military court-martial." Later told Sato twice, "It is alright to execute them" (Speaking of PWs) In Nov. 1945, Sato told Yokoyama that he would have to bear the responsibility for execution of American flyers without trial since he had issued the orders, and Yokoyama stated that he would, but to keep secret the fact that he had personally issued the orders. Fur­ther, that he knew nothing about the executions, that Fukushima and Sato should accept responsiblity, since his acceptance would disgrace the em­peror. Sato told Akita and Inada he would do so in Nov. 1945 if disclosure.

In first part of May Wako asked Sato for permission to execute flyers without trial. Sato said this must come from Yokoyama. Sato told Akita to ask Yokoyama and in 10 minutes he returned, said that Yokoyama agreed, and Sato so told Wako. In March 1946 Akita reversed his allegation of permission from Commanding General. In January 1946 investigation by Oki, sent from War Ministry to replace Ito. Oki told Sato that he knew Commanding General had granted permission; Sato then includes KIU inci­dent, with implication above also applies to it.

After war, Jinnaka, Ishiyama, and Sato discussed concealment of KIU, Sato said that the army was covering by the Hiroshima story. About 20 May 1945 Sato told Commanding General that he would say that he gave Ishiyama per­mission to give Prisoners to KIU if secret disclosed to protect position of army rather than KIU using Ishiyama's name. Commanding General thought a good idea. This was after Komori told Sato he had Commanding General’s permission to take Prisoners. Commanding General told Sato he had granted request.

On first day of operations, Sato Told Komori he didn’t like to send Pri­soners to KIU if all to die, Komori said he would take responsibility, said he would tell Commanding General this. Nakao or Komori said that one of Prisoners in anteroom asked what he was being injected with. After war Hirao told Sato narcotic injection an overdose, enough to be fatal.

Statement of Ikeda (23-25 June 1947) In August 1945, after the surrender Sato asked Ikeda to write out one death certificate for a B-29 crew member. Ikeda "gathers" that flier hod been executed. It seemed that there had been some records stating that one PW was sent there; therefore he wanted to ac­count for him with this death certificate. Sato had not ordered him to do this, merely requested it, and since Ikeda had never seen this Prisoner, he refused. Ikeda believes Sato came to him because he was the only medical officer present at the time.