Statements Concerning Yoshinao Sato

Statement of MINORU NAKAMURA (20 Oct 47):

NAKAMURA reported his orders from KUSUMOTO to SATO, who told him to proceed with the cremation.

Statement of Masaharu KIKKAWA (1 Nov-6 Nov 47):

On 20-21 August 1945 SATO came to Tokyo, told KIKKAWA what AIHARA had previously told him, and he answered as he had Aihara. SATO said about 40 fliers had been ex­ecuted. On 25-26 August AIHARA returned, told him that 2nd Army had refused assis­tance to SATO, pleaded with KIKKAWA to assist in cover up.

KIKKAWA felt he must give assistance to a neighboring unit, was transferred 20 Aug. On 5-6 September SATO came to Hiroshima, and KIKKAWA took him to see Sr. Staff Officer Col. KITANO. KITANO told him he was have to discuss it with KAWAMtIRA and TANI of the Chukoku Area. 4-5 days later KIKKAWA went with KITANO to KAWAMtIRA and the 3 then went to TANI who said that they must assist the neighboring army. KIKKAWA later- heard that TANI was a good friend of INADA. SATO wanted them to accept all 40 as k lied in the atomic "bombing, but KITANO and KIKKAWA refused to ac­cept this many. SATO then said that a pilot named WATKINS had been sent to TOKYO, that his plane crashed near Mt. Aso and his captured crew of 6 had been killed at WAH, that as soon as WATKINS reported his crew at WAH there would be trouble, so asked that Hiroshima to accept these 6 and perhaps a few more so that it would not look suspicious.

The Tokyo report KIKKAWA saw stated that there were 3 executions, one on the day following the Fukuoka bombing in June of 8, the 2nd on the day following the Nagasaki bombing in Aug. of 8, the 3rd on 15 or 16 August of about 15. The report used the name of SATO and others.

SATO came to Hiroshima in response to KIKKAWA1S request with a copy of the June 45 report to the PWIB that some flyers had been killed in the Fukuoka, bombing, and he gave KIKKAWA 6 names of persons from the Watkins plane. KIKKAWA got these names on the 2nd report as well as in late December 1945, he now recalls. The names of the 3 others were sent later. SATO checked off the 6 names, wrote them on a piece of paper, kept the report. KIKKAWA threw this paper away as soon as he got the official report of names from WAH.

Statement of Genzaburo OKI (9 Nov. - 15 Nov. 1947):

Notes of OKI contained the statement by SATO that YOKOYAMA had given permission for the executions.

The last change: In the first report OKI stated that SATO ordered KUSUMOTO to have the remaining flyers executed by the young officers in the operations section. Since KUSUMOTO was used only to relay the orders of SATO, OKI. left his name out of the 2nd report.

Statement of Jukior NAKAO (10 Sept 1947):

NAKAO recalls that SATO on one occasion pushed a.PW in the chest.

On 17 August 1945 NAKAO was called to Hirao Hq. where SATO and others were talking. When they finished SATO told NAKAO that all the PWs had been killed, that if anyone asked NAKAO what happened he should say they had been sent to Tokyo on an Imperial Staff Hq. plane. SATO told NAKAO At Hirao that some of the PWs were killed at the hospital.

SATO - 2

Yamanaka would arrange for the interrogation, would notify Lt. Col SUGINO of the plans and SATO of the intention. SUGINO had never attended interrogations, but sometimes SATO, AIHARA and ENATSU would. Interrogations were carried out according to rank and importance of position. YAMANAKA would write notes during the interrogation, give a verbal report to SUGINO and to SATO if SATO did not attend.

Statement of Koshi YUKINO (18 June 1946):

About July 29 SATO told YUKINO that all prisoners received on July 20, 23 and 25 were to be turned over to YUKINO by AIHARA, to be turned over to the staff officer and to order a truck, but didn’t know where they were to be taken.

In late August YUKINO heard a rumor that the PWs were executed. In early December SATO and FUKUSHIMA ordered YUKINO to report to WAH, whereupon he was told some PWs had been killed. SATO and FUKUSHIIA asked questions as to how many PWS on certain dates, food and shelter.

S/D 3 July 1947

From September or October 1944 to 10 July 1945 YUKINO was assigned to the WAH Staff Section under SATO as a captain, his duties to tour the army air bases in So. Kyushu and to inspect the fuel and ammo storage facilities.

S/D 13 Sep 46

SATO told YUKINO to state that he went alone to bury human ashes on Mt. Hirao, but 1st Lt. Minoru NAKAMURA went with him. YUKINO believes they were the ashes of 9 Jap civilians. The ashes of the Jap civilians were obtained from the Aburayama crematory. SATO ordered YUKINO to get the ashes of 9 civilians, told him to bury them at Hirao without telling anyone.

S/D 30 Sep 47

In early September, about 10 days after YUKINO buried the ashes at Hirao SATO came to Hirao Hq and ordered Yukino to get ashes of 8 Japanese persons as the Aburayama crematory, since there were ashes of 8 persons missing after the Hiroshima bombing, to take along an NCO from HIROSHIMA who was there, YUKINO and the NCO wrapped the Jap ashes in 8 packages, then into one, and YUKINO then gave them to KUSUMOTO, SATO being present, and told YUKINO to give them to the NCO.

Statement of Tadashi ODASHIMA (14 Nov. 47):

ODASHIMA received no report as to enemy airmen captured in Kyushu until the end of the war. The documts of surrender provided that allcaptives would be treated as PWs. ODASHIMA met SATO in Tokyo after the war once. SATO came up to the PWIB to see the Chief of the Bureau (TAMURA) and ODASHIMA talked to him immediately after.

ODASHIMA believes SATO then went by himself, into the Info and Intell. Sec. He recalls that SATO told him that he came to discuss matters re captured enemy flyers with the PWIB chief.

Statement of Kenichi YAMAMOTO (3 Oct 46):

YAMAMOTO was an investigator under SATO for about a mdinth with Western Demob. In May 46 SATO told YAMAMATO of 3 executions at WAH, the 1st involving 8 Pris­oners about 19 June, the 2nd about 11 August involving 8, and the third about 15 August at Aburayama involving 15. YAMAMOTO believes SATO was investigating crash survivors. YAMAMOTO saw a paper on which was written the names and ranks

SATO - 3

of 9 PWs had by SATO, who said that these men had been sent to Hiroshima. YAMAMOTO believes that Hiroshi TSUTSUMI has the list.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI (15 Apr 46):

TOJI remembers SATO and others witnessing the execution of 20 June 1945.

Statement of Hiroji NAKAYAMA (8 July 1947):

On 15 August 1945 NAKAYAMA heard that the Japs were to surrender, vent to the office of KUSUMOTO, who with SATO were discussing the execution of American PWs. About 1430 SATO ordered NAKAYAMA to accompany him to the place of execution where he saw 2 PWs lying in tall grass, dead.

Statement of Kanji NISHIHARA (14-19 July 1947):

At about 17 or 18 November 1945 a meeting was held at which NISHIHARA saw SATO and others; this meeting pertained to the reporting of atrocities against American PWs. NISHIHARA and SATO said nothing at this meeting. INADA advised NISHIHARA in the last of November or first of December that SATO, ITO and FUKUSHIMA had somethi g to do with atrocities, that between June and August 1945, 31 PWs were killed.

Statement of Fumitoshi YAMANAKA (18-27 Sep 46):

30 November 1945 SATO called YAMANAKA to Western Demob., told him to compile a list of names of the captured Am. fliers, but he did not know. At that time MAEDA, HASHIYAMA and AKAMINE were there, were angry because SATO told them to state, they said, that they beheaded the PWs of their free will and received no orders, if questioned by the OF, and that they were to further assume the res­ponsibility for the 15 August execution. SATO told YAMANAKA to state that if he were ever questioned about the execution he was to say that he knew nothing. YAMANAKA overhead NAKAO and SAKURA say that SATO beat PWs.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU (23 Sep - 31 Oct 47):

In About June 1945 SATO took over the authority over the PWs. ENATSU was present when 6 American flyers were questioned by SATO and YAMANAKA. On a PCS being captured, SATO would be immediately notified and the PCS would be sent to WAH, the adjutant would arrange for imprisonment. A report as to names and no of PCS would go to the WD, circulate through SATO and others.

ENATSU attended 4 interrogations of 7 flyers. The first was about 8 May. He was invited by SATO, and there were others present.

About mid May ITO told ENATSU that SATO had recommended to him that PCS be exe­cuted without trial; that such was impossible, that they should be tried before a military commission, that he was going to order the KT to conduct an inves­tigation. After WAKO made the statements as to execution of flyers, ITO said that during the staff meeting, SATO RECOMMENDED THAT THE PCS be executed without trial, but that he, ITO, stated they should be tried.

Statement of Kiyoharu TOMOMORI (20 Jan 47 - 20 Mar 47): 

On 16 August FUKUSHIMA told TOMOMORI in front of SATO that they had to clean up matters re the PCS. TOMOMORI suggested the truth be told; SATO said he could not, that the bodies were still buried. TOMOMORI suggested they be disinterred and cremated, to which SATO and FUKUSHIMA agreed. SATO said the names of the flyers were not known.

21 August at Hirao FUKUSHIMA told TOMOMORI that it would be made to appear the

SATO - 4

PWs executed 20 June were killed in a bombing attack. SATO was there. That afternoon FUKUSHIMA called a meeting with SATO and others, at which meeting it was decided to make it appear the Prisoners had been killed in a bombing attack.

OKI Report:

On the evening of 23 December INADA and OKI met with AKITA, at which time INADA said that AKITA and he had no connection with the executions, that he investigat­ed the incidents as chairman of the PW Investigating Committee and knew of them, but would not say anything to OKI, but would see what sort of investigation he would make, that if the investigation went on SATO's supposition that the flight personnel was not killed, there ought to have been 31 on 15 August remaining, that they were allegedly sent by air to Tokyo but there was no record of the plane, that lies were sent to the CID in Kurume and 1st Dem. under the name of FUKUSHIMA, that they weren't acceptable to give to the OF.

SATO was the Chief Staff Officer in charge of the disposition of flight personnel. On 15 August SATO inferred to FUKUSHIMA that the flight personnel would be executed, end FUKUSHIMA said it could not be condoned, since Japan had accepted the Potsdam declaration, but he later heard SATO order the executions. FUKUSHIMA said there were about 4 such occasions, but was not referring to the other, that he tried hard to hide these murder incidents from the US Army and so reported that the 31 unaccounted for at the surrender, according to SATO's chart, were transferred to Tokyo by air, but Tokyo said no such airplane was unaccounted for, and OKI thought he could cover by saying a special attack unit plane engaged in suicide attack dropped into the sea with the flyers aboard or that it plunged into an American battleship. Thus such a report was sent to the CIC in Kurume bearing FUKUSHIMA's name, that SATO was then investigating this particular plane, that he thought the deaths could be concealed, unless the Demob. Min. ordered a report of the facts.

Statement of SATO on about 6 Jan: That afternoon (6 Jan) SATO stated that he handled matters re American flight personnel as an air staff officer, that all were sent to Tokyo to April 1945, that about May Tokyo said they were not to be sent unless especially new information, but to conduct appropriate disposition of them in the respective armies. SATO further stated that about June or July KIKKAWA of Tokyo Hq. became a staff Officer of 2nd Army and about July 9 flight personnel through his liaison were shipped to Hiroshima, that about May 1945 4 flyers were transferred to the Western District Army Mil. Tribunal Pros. Office as to violation of military laws, but that from their experiences in SHANGHAI ITO and WAKO appreared to dislike handling such disposition, that as the time came for the invasion YOKOYAMa gave his subordinates to understand that he wanted all Americans killed. In about June SATO asserts that he was shown a letter from a Tokyo MP which carried the impression it was desirable to take appropriate action against' flight personnel, and SATO realized that the central authorities believed it permissible to execute flight personnel without trial. SATO further relates that a cry for the lives of flight personnel arose among some of the Officers after the 19 June raid, that WAKO came to SATO in the morning of 20 Jun and said, "Isn’t it better to execute the flight personnel?" to which OKI agreed, that AKITA went to YOKOYAMA, returned and said he had given approval, which OKI told WAKO in the afternoon, told SATO that the execution would start, that he SATO, said to go ahead with it, that he arrived shortly afterwards, following ITO that about 4 flight personnel remained, who were then decapitated by TOJI of the Air Intell. Unit. SATO further stated that 8 were decapitated, that he heard that WAKO also performed the decapitation.

SATO states that the next execution occurred in the beginning of August, that he doesn’t know the details, that ITEZONO does, that on 15 August KUSUMOTO came to

Sato - 5

SATO, said, There are sentiments expressed that it is better to execute the flight personnel currently interned; what shall be done about it? SATO thought it was better to execute them, stated that KUSUMOTO and he then went to see FUKUSHIMA, that SATO went in alone, said that he thought it was better to execute them and asked the opinion of FUKUSHIMA, who said, "Be careful in carrying out the exe­cution," whereupon SATO went out and told the waiting KUSUMOTO to get ready for the executions, that on that afternoon over 10 were executed near Aburayama. While SATO was at the scene he doesn’t remember the names of the executioner; most were Officers from the Air Def. Oprs. Rm. SATO then stated that all the corpses, were burned at Aburayama at the time the war ended, and the remains ordered dumped into Hakata Bay, that his report contained a falsification wherein it stated that 31 member of the flight personnel were transferred to an airplane from Imp. Hg.

Statement of ITEZONO: He had nothing to do with the 20 June execution, but was on the scene of the 12 August execution, was ordered by SATO to have the Officers and POs of the commando unit under his charge execute the flight personnel.

Statement of Yakumaru: On the night of 14 August SATO told OKI that flyers were to be executed the next day.

Statement of YUKINO: About August he heard some of the flyers had been executed. On 15 August he asked KUSUMOTO what they were going to do with the flyers, and he replied he had discussed the matter of the execution with SATO, who eventually ordered that they be punished.

2nd Statement of SATO: He stated that a short time before the 19 June airraid, WAKO came to them and suggested the flyers be executed without trial, since trial would be difficult. SATO agreed. SATO told him to prepare. He then states that the information that permission was obtained from YOKOYAMA and AKITA on the 20th was a mistake. SATO stated that he sent the 4 flyers to the Pros. Officer of the Military Tribunal, although ITO and WAKO said trial would be difficult.

Later, on a trip with SATO he told OKI that KOMORI said that YOKOYAMA gave permission to send flyers to KIU.

Box of ashes was thrown into the sea on order of SATO and YUKINO.

SATO issued orders of execution arbitrarily to WAKO. He also ordered ITEZONO to have commando unit execute 8 flyers. SATO implied consent given by FUKUSHIMA and ordered 15 flyers executed at Aburayama.

Statement of Toshiki NAKAMURA (l Dec. 47):

NAKAMURA recognized picture of PONCZKA as the prisoner with shoulder wound who was taken from the detention barracks after a few days with another Prisoner by SATO.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI (2 Jan 48):

On 20 June TOJI saw SATO and ITO standing with others and 4 prisoners about 50 meters from the place of execution. SATO agreed that TOJI execute the flyers since his mother had been killed in an airraid.

Statement of Shigjyoshi SUZUKI (18 November 1947):

In late Jan 46 a report fromWAH had been received given the names of SATO and others as warranting investigation for war crimes.

SATO - 6

SUZUKI had planned to inverview SATO in Tokyo, since he appared to he hiding from the other Officers in Fukuoka, could never he located, but he did not come up. SUZUKI believes SATO was under suspicition since it was known he had re­ported at the Beppu CIC.

Statement of Yoshinoro NONAKA (13 Nov. 47):

In Dec. 45 the liaison work was split between SATO and YAKUMARU. SATO quit about July 1946, although absent much of the time before that.

Shortly after SATO went to Tokyo, returned with the paper, he said, which list of names NONAKA later copies. About Jan 46 SATO had NONAKA make a list of American Flyers from a mimeographed list, whichwas then given to him. A few weeks later SATO gave NONAKA some memoranda which he gave back about April or May, having been given instructions not to let anyone see it. This list is in NONAKA's handwriting, in pencil, was made for SATO in Jan 46; although there is an addi­tional notation of SATO and Capt. Miller.

Statement of Ikuo TANAKA (21 Nov 47):

AIHARA explained that TANAKA was to give the prepared story if questioned by the OF. After AIHARA was through, they said goodby to SATO, who told them to tell the story exactly as they had been told. Later TANAKA was transferred to WAH where SATO told him several times not to worry about the plan. This meeting was in October.

Statement of Noribumi TAKADA (8 Nov 47):

About May or June 1945 OHNO and his subordinates interrogated flyers relative to indiscriminate bombings, arrangements being made through TAKADA's subordinate, YANASA after rrequest from ENATSU or SATO of WAH. TAKADA believes all the records were burned.

In October or November 1945 SATO wanted TAKADA to say if questioned that about 10 flyers had been sent to 2nd Central Army Hq at Hiroshima, that they were accompanied by a particular KT corporal. About a month later, he refused after thinking it over.

Statement of Minoru NAKAMURA:

NAKAMURA went back to Aburayama (about August 15) and SATO told him he would let the matter of cremation up to NAKAMURA. Several operations room Officers and 1 naval Officer were with him.

Statement of Yasuo MOTOMURA:

SATO and NAKAMUHA told MOTOMURA not to tell anyone about the scene of the execu­tion (August 15.)

2nd OKI Report

Hostility by bombing (19 June) of some staff members was aroused to point where they felt flyers should be given death without court martial, cinluding SATO, who instructed WAKO, to have members of Judicial Section (TTO) kill 8 flyers interned in the Fukuoka army stockade and at the internment camp for enemy flyers at hq. on 20 June., the 19 June bombing to be given as reason for the deaths.

After Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing, about 12 August, SATO ordered ITEZONO to execute about 8 flyers.

SATO - 7

On 15 August, with rumors rife, KUSUMOTO asked SATO ABout the disposition of about 15 flyers, he thought they should be killed, asked FUKUSHIMA for approval, although not definite whether he did approve, tho SATO took it for granted that he did. On that afternoon SATO had officers of the operations room kill about 15 Prisoners.

Statement of Sadayoshi MURATA (15 Oct 46):

About 20 August 1945 SATO went to the Tokyo War Ministry, heard his purpose was to burn all documents re B-29 crewmembers sent previously from WA as well as the false reports on 16 men.

On his return SATO said that he extracted from the war ministry document files the report which stated that 16 men had burned to death in the 19 June raid and returned with them, intended to burn them in Fukuoka, that he had requested by telephone that the copes of these documents sent from WA Judicial Sec. (ITO) to the War Ministry Judicial Bureau to be burned since he had no opportunity to go there, that he talked to a colonel (OKI) who answered that all documents at the Judicial Bureau pertaining to PWs had already been burned.

MURATA heard that SATO went to Tokyo for these reasons:

1. Prior to 19 June the names of all flyers were reported to the War Min. by the Operations department, but not after. Thus, if the 16 previously reported were accounted for by the 19 June airraid, and the rest had been sent to Hiroshima the fact of execution would remain undiscovered. Thus, thought best to have the reamins of the 16 buried in the military cemetery.

2. However, some airmen were sent to WAH after the Hiroshima bombing, and Hiroshima would not comply with the WAH request to claim they had received a large number of crew members.

MURATA then states that SATO returned about 20 August from Tokyo.

Report on Tracing of the Ashes (5 Nov 47):

10 Sep 46 YUKINO maintained the ashes were of unknown Japs from the Aburayama crematorium, buried according to SATO's instructions.

Statement of Kentaro TOJI:

Present at the 20 June execution were SATO and others.

Statement of Hiroji NAKAYAMA (16 Jan 48):

On 15 August SATO told KUSUMOTO that orders for the execution of the flyers were out. Shortly after 1200 NAKAYAMA was told by SATO that he was to be an executioner that day. About 1400 SATO came int® the propoganda office, said to NAK­AYAMA that he should come along to the execution. They arrived at Aburayama about 1515 (SATO didn't know the way).

Either AKAMINE or HASHIYAMA reported to SATO that the executions were being carried out; SATO said to continue. SATO ordered NAKAYAMA to perform the executions. SATO made a short speech when the executions were finished asking them to be complete and careful in the final details of the execution, evidently referring to cremation.

Statement of Hyozo KITANO (21 Jan 48):

In late November a report on Allied personnel remains was made based on the request of SATO. SATO arrived late in the evening, approached truck on which KITANO was entrucked, asked for KIKKAWA and went with them to quarters. About

SATO - 8

30 minutes later KIKKAWA and SATO came to KITANO's room, and SATO said that WAH was trying to account for the diappearance of 6 B-29 flyers which they killed; wanted to make it appear they died in the atomic bombing.

SATO then said that in late spring 45 a B29 crashed in Kumoto-ken, 7 survivors taken to WAH, the pilot taken to Tokyo, the rest of the crew killed, the pilot would be released to the OF and report. SATO pleaded, urged KITANO to consult superiors, said WAH would be punished, that he might be hanged; that everyone was wrried.

SATO left the next morning.

Report fromWestern Demob to 1st Demob Minister of 16 Jan 46 "Treatment of Enemy Flyers"

After June 19 raid some of the staff officers thought the flyers should be slain without trial. SATO was of this opinion, and without orders from above, ordered WAKO to have LS personnel kill the 8 confined in Fukuoka A Prison and internment camp, under the pretense they were killed in the raid; stated these orders came from higher command.

After the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, SATO on 12 August ordered IDEZONO to kill the 8 interned flyers at Aburayama. When the war ended 15 August SATO decided to have them slain to remove "all sources of incrimination". When SATO requested instructions from FUKUSHIMA, FUKUSHIMA did not clearly specity what court to take, and SATO assumed this as tacit consent and ordered KUSUMOTO to have them killed. The 15 were slain that afternoon at Aburayama.

Statement of TOJI:

SATO and others were present at the 20 June execution

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU:

On 21 August SATO, FUKUSHIMA and others met to conceal the incident.

Statement of Kozo NISHIDA:

According to a woman working nearby, SATO and a few signal officers were present at the 10 August execution.

Statement of Hiroshi AKITA (8 May 47):

SATO said to AKITA that in the past B29 PCs had been sent to Tokyo, but no longer necessary to send the crew members there, and the army must dispose of them, that among them were many who would be sentenced to death by military tribunals for indiscriminate bombing, that he would like to punish them without trial, and "Please ask YOKOYAMA for his opinion on this matter." AKITA went immediatly to YOKOYAMA and asked if he would approve such action. He replied, "It would be all right to handle it that way." AKITA returned, told SATO.

Report (JAPANESE) as to Transfer of B-29 pilots to Army (possibly written by Yanase)

Twice in early May SATO, through ENATSU by telephone and personal visit, requested KT expert kendoists to execute airmen. Heard from ENATSU that SATO was strongly in favor of executing the pilots. During late May TAKADA ordered YANASE to show SATO a document from YAMAMURA to TAKADA, stating it was permissible to take appropriate action on the B20 airmen.

The incident at the beginning was carried out due to the consultation of mainly 3 persons, SATO, AIHRA and KOMORI.

SATO - 9

AKITA said that according to SATO, the raiding force officers came to him on the morning of the execution for permissionto execute 8 airmen, and after receiving it took the airmen to Aburayama. AKITA didn't believe this, and thought SATO was still talking nonsense.

In the afternoon of 7 or 8 August AIHARA asked ITEZONO if there was to be an execution next day and could he attend; ITEZONO asked SATO and he replied: "Yes, we will do it. There are many officers from the raiding force, so why don't you attend?"

On the day of the order for the execution, ITEZONO asked SATO whether the Investigation of the Americans to be executed the next day (10 August) were completed, and he said, "Oh, well, the investigations are complete, and since no further business remains, it has been decided to execute them? ITEZONO had heard that SATO made frequent trips to the 6th Air A as to the inves­tigation of American airmen.

SATO gave the instructions as to methods of execution.

On 13 October 1945, ITEZONO met SATO at headquarters, who told himthat he was certain to be arrested and that he should go into hiding. Later SATO told him that their superiors intended to shift the blame to SATO and ITEZONO, and that ITEZONO should hide as soon aaopossible.

Statement of Hozo KITANO (23 Jan 48)

KITANO and TANI attended conference of army area commanders at the War Ministry about 16-17 November. Just before dinner TANI called KITANO to a corner where SATO and others were present. TANI told them he would assume responsibility for the PW problem, had notified the Minister to this effect. SATO said "Thank you. We assure you that you will not be put in an embarrasing position. Please do the best you can."

Statement of Katsuya YAKUMARU (2 Feb 48):

SATO was concerned with matters re air crew members. At WA on those papers requiring seals, they were affixed by YAKUMARU, SATO and others as to air crew members.

The drafting of the false report on the air crew members deaths by bombing was discussed by SATO and WAKO after the 20 June execution. SATO ordered AIHARA to be responsible for the drafting of the plan.

Statement of Michio IKEDA (30 Jan 48):

About 20 August SATO came to IKEDA's room, requested he make out a death certificate for a B-29 member, said that evidence of the executed flyer had been destroyed, but one flyer captured in Shikoku had been reported by the Shikoku KT as being transferred to WA, wanted IKEDA to say he died of an illness, but Ikeda had no definite answer, reported this to HORIUCHI, who made no commitment, and IKEDA refused SATO several days later.

Statement of Masaharu KIKKAWA (20 Feb 48):

About 20 August SATO came into KIKKAWA's office, mentioned thesituation as to WATKINS going home, as to concealment of the 40 flyers killed, stated they needed GHQ, help, and KIKKAWA suggested he go to 2nd Army for advise. About 25 August AIHARA returned, said that SATO had been to 2nd Army, that SATO and MAKI went to the Hiroshima KT NAGAHAMA, who refused to take responsibility; SATO then 

SATO - 10

returning to WAH informing AIHARA.

KIKKAWA left Tokyo about 28 August, arrived at Hiroshima 30 August, and on 5 September at 1800 SATO arrived at Chugoku Hq and met KIKKAWA in his office, who was interested in concealment, then went to KIKKAWA's billet, then went to the billet of Col. KITANO, and SATO explained his predicament to him, stated they were refused aid at the other hq. KITANO promised to discuss the matter with the CG on his return, but that 40 would be too many, to make it as small as possible.

SATO said the most important need was of concealment of the 7 captured at Aso Gun, that one was sent to Tokyo (WATKINS) and the other 6 killed, that the six must be covered.

Statement of MAEKAWA (Jan 48):

About October 1945 MAEKAWA heard that IKEDA was persistently asked by SATO to write a false death certificate for a B29 airman for whom he was not responsible and which he refused.

Statement of Manzo TAKAHASHI:

On submission of the WA report TSUBOSHIMA, KONUMA and TAKAHASHI talked to TOMOMORI as to the execution. About this time INADA came in, was asked if the CG ordered the executions, and INADA replied that there was no such order out, but that from time to time the CG- had stated that when the enemy lands on the mainland we will have to kill all the Prisoners that possibly the order was misunderstood by SATO, who apparently arranged the 1st execution. As to the 2nd execution (10 August), INADA said that SATO claimed that he had permission from TOMOMORI, but that TOMOMORI denied this.

INADA stated that SATO calimed that FUKUSHIMA had given permission to execute the remaining flyers (15 August), but FUKUSHIMA denied this. TAKAHASHA did not believe that SATO was of sufficient authority and responsibility to be responsible for the executions.

Statement of Fumio TSUBOSHIMA (4 Mar 48):

On arrival TAKAHASHI told TSUBOSHIMA that SATO had come to Tokyo, requesting that 31 flyers killed at WAH be reported as killed soon after 15 August on way to Tokyo by plane, hosed him chart submitted fromWAH showing receipt and disposition of WAH flyers. TSUBOSHIMA noted a discrepancy between this chart and PWIB report relocation of remains given it by WAH. Either TAKAHASHI or KONUMA told TSUBOSHIMA that SATO came to Tokyo in early Dec 45 to check whether the 31 had got to Tokyo.

When INADA came to the meeting of Chfs. of G-en Affairs of each Demob. Bureau about 20 Jan 46 he brought the official report from NISHIHARA, which was about the same as the mid-December report, but detailed, stating SATO was responsible for the 20 June execution. SATO and ITEZONO responsible for the 12 August ex­ecution, with SATO and FUKUSHIMA responsible for the 15 August execution.