Statements Concerning Yoshinao Sato

SATO, YOSHINAO

Statement of Akita (420, 22 May 47) Cont’d. In latter part of May Sato stated that, according to wire, General Staff Headquarters no longer interested in B-29 flyers; Sato then wanted Prisoners tried by Military Commission, based on Shanghai Trial. Sato stated each army responsible. Sato asked Akita to obtain Yokoyama’s approval to try Prisoners by tribunal, stating that most guilty of indiscriminate bomb­ings and so likely to get death.

Heard something of KIU incidents in 45, either from Inada, Fukushima, or Sato.

In late August or early September heard of June 20 execution. Sato went to see Yokoyama at Yamaie Headquarters, then saw Akita.

What Sato told Akita was that most flyers would be given death if tried, and he wanted to execute them without trial, wanted Yokoyama’s opinion. Akita told Yokoyama, according to Sato, some of Prisoners had partici­pated in indiscriminate bombings several times, as based on Shanghai Trial, most would be given death, Sato wanted to execute without trial, and Akita asked Yokoyama his wishes - if he would approve Sato’s desire (as general policy, Yokoyama said "That will be all right."

In about November Sato brought list of number of Prisoners sent to various locations. Akita saw that 5-7 Prisoners sent to Hiroshima, Sato said they were killed by atomic bomb, also said Komori deeply involved in disposition of Prisoners at KIU, but believes latter con­versation took place in a latter part of November.

In latter August or early September at Yamaie Headquarters Sato dropped in Akita’s office after conference with Yokoyama, said he was having difficulty hiding evidence of (20 June) execution. Sato said one exe­cution took place immediately after air raid, another immediately after termination of war.

D believes Fukushima behind effort to hide atrocities, one who did direct work was Sato. Sato took frequent trips to Tokyo and Hiroshima, and on one occasion he said he was going to Tokyo to discuss plan of 31 flyers being sent to Tokyo.

(or Hayada) Statement of Saito (420. 15 May 47) Saito heard that Sato gave orders at the execution, (early August at Aburayama).

Statement of Sota (420, 15 May 47)

Heard: 20 June 45, 9 flyers executed in Western Army Headquarters com­pound. Sato, of Intelligence Section in charge. Present at 20 June execution: Sato

Ito told Sota that Sato exeuoted these flyers on his own order.

Because of air raids, Sato stayed at headquarters and Tomomori was in charge,(Execution in beginning of August)