Statements Concerning Yoshinao Sato

Statement of Masaharu KIKKAWA (17 Feb 48):

About 20 August SATO came to Sic 6; KIKKAWA didn't know him, but he explained that an OF investigation of killing of 40 Flyers would start soon, asked him to help, but KIKKAWA REFUSE) AND left. On 25 August AIHARA came; said SATO visited the 2nd Army and want to NAGHAMA, who refused.

About 4-5 September SATO came to Chugoku Hq.f KIKKAWA suggested he see Col. KITANO and they both went to his billet, and KITANO said he would see the CO on his return. SATO wanted them to take over, but KIKKAWA said 40 too many, and SATO suggested they wake the Watkins crew.

About 15-16 September 1945 an Officer was sent to WAH with letter of approval to SATO askkng for the remains of the 9. On orders of the CG KIKKAWA went to WAH about 10 Jan 46, asked for SATO, who was not present. INADA said that they reported to the US Army that 31 PWs were sent by plane to Tokyo, were missing, that SATO was then at Oita on this matter.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU:

On 21 August SATO and others were present at a conference, whereat TOMOMORI said he was but a spectator; useless to conceal it since fat and ashes at place were burned, which scientific investigation would reveal.

Statement of Kumao IMOTO (19 April 48):

In late August or early September 1945 SATO came 3 times to have it reported 9 Fs killed without trial; would be said to have been killed in the atomic bombing. IMOTO told SATO he didn't think HATA would permit it.

Statement of Tokuji ENATSU (31 March 48):

SATO and others at meeting where they discussed trying flyers on evidence of indiscriminate bombing. SATO had previously said the flyers should be executed without trial. The roster of flyers was prepared by AIHARA and sent to SATO and others.

Day after IDEZONO told ENATSU SATO had ordered the executions. SATO had mentioned it was necessary to execute the remainigg Flyers. Meeting on 21-22 August, which included SATO where plan was devised to say Flyers were killed in airraid shelter.

Statement of Masao YOSHIZUMI (16-23 Mar 48):

A report of about 16 Jan 46 named SATO and others responsible for the executions.

Report of SUZUKI to SHIDEHARA:

On 20 June WAKO went to SATO for advise as to giving severe punishment .to Flyers, and SATO accepted opinion of WAKO based on misunderstanding with YOKOYAMA, and WAKO and several others disposed of 8 flyers. About 10 August after SATO hod gone to Tokyo on business YOKOYAMA demanded immediate disposition of 8 flyers interned while SATO was away. YOKOYAMA meant reference to a military court of those .who violated regulations and sending others to PW camps, but SATO misunderstood and on 11 August ordered ITEZONO of operations department to dispose of the 8 and on 12 August ITEZONO and his subordinate officers did so at Aburayama.

Western Demob. Report (#38) to 1st Demob re Flyers of 16 Jan 46:

After airraid SATO and others felt Flyers should be killed, and SATO, despite no instructions from superiors, directed WAKO to have personnel of LS execute approximately 8.

At war's end, there were rumors, and SATO received a request from KUSUMOTO for instructions as to the disposition of some 15 Flyers, whereupon SATO asked FUKUSHIMA for instructions, who did not indicate disapproval, so SATO thought he had tacitly approved and ordered KUSUMOTO to have officers carry out executions.

PW Report fromChief G-en Affairs Western Demob to V Minister HARA, 15 Dec. 45:

As to instructions of Kurume CIC as to 9 American flyers who crashed in late July 45 near Yokoyama-mura, SATO went to Tokyo 2 Dec.,ascertained that airmen sent by airplane to Tokyo 18 August did not arrive, returned 6 December, which he reported, whereupon the CIC gave them 5 days from 8 December to get facts.

Yusei WAKO (11 Feb 48):

SATO meant by "dispose" to execute some, send some to Tokyo, confine others in special isolation cells and send others to PW camps.

The Chief of LS (ITO) held the opinion that violations of regulations by flyers, even if not violation of international law, i.e., bombing homes and civilians, must be punished and even if SATO couldn't get the evidence, it would be quite proper to punish the Flyers on the basis of KT evidence.

Statement of Tatsuo ITEZONO (1 Oct 45??):

On 7 or 8 August AIHARA came to ITEZONO said that at 0900 on the next day at Abura­yama 8 flyers would be executed; asked ITEZONO to attend; could not accept on own, so asked SATO who confirmed and asked him to attend; SATO said NAKAMURA would take care of details. SATO told ITEZONO he could not go because of an impending airraid.

Statement of Tokuzo TSUCHIYAMA (27 September 48):

SATO arrived at the execution later with ISHIMURA. SATO expressed doubt as to whether these men knew how to behead, and 1st Lt. NSKAYAMA then grabbed a flyer, took him to front and center and would perform an exhibition.

Statement of Matsuzo SHIMASAKI (26 Sept 48):

SHIMASAKI believes SATO was present at execution of 8 flyers.

Report of False Documents re the 16 Flyers:

In november FUKUSHIMA learned a copy of the 20 June report existed at PWIB and SATO obtained it, decretly preserved it although it should have been destroyed and gave NONAKA a copy about January.