Statements Concerning Ishiyama

Statement of Morimoto (ATIS translation) In early June Hirao told Morimoto he must help at an operation that afternoon since short of help. No one was there, Morimoto left, went back 30 minutes later; personnel were there. Doesn't know when Ishiyama, Hirao, and Seriba arrived. They all began preparations by lining up 3 tables near the window.

lung operation - 1st lung operation Morimoto ever saw. Ishiyama told Komori during the operation that Miyashiro, his intimate friend who died of cancer of the lung, could have been saved if he were alive today. There were 2 offi­cers behind Ishiyama. The operation lasted 40 minutes, the patient died.

Statement of Tsutsui (27 Aug and____ 1947) 1943 was head nurse of Ishiyama Surgical Clinic, having charge of about 25 nurses.

Ishiyama was doing research on cancer of the stomach and sea water as a blood substitute.

In May about 1000-1100, Ishiyama told Tsutsui there would be an operation that day, that she should prepare for it, that it was on an American soldier, that she should bring along one nurse to prepare for a stomach and chest operation. Tsutsui was called in at 1300-1400, told by Ishiyama to get the instruments, which she and Miki did, then waited by the entrance of the hospital for someone to show them where the operations would be held. Ishiyama, she believes, then came along, took them to the Hirakao anatomy dissecting room.

Long wait for the Prisoners to arrive, Ishiyama went back to his office be­cause the Prisoners were late in arriving, Tsutsui called him when they arrived; he came 5 minutes later. Ishiyama, Komori, Miki, and either Hirao or Mori washed their hands, scrubbed with soap 15 minutes, sterilized hands and arms with a solution, put on sterile masks and white robes.

Ishiyama was to the left of Miki on the Prisoner*s left side, Komori was across the table from Ishiyama with either Hirao or Mori on his left.

Tsutsui believes that Ishiyama talked to the doctors, and if they weren't busy with lectures or other work they assisted him or came and watched.

Ishiyama made an incision on the Prisoner*s abdomen and chest from about 2 ribs up from the bottom of the sternum to the navel. Ishiyama retracted one side of the incision, Komori or the other doctor the other side. Ishiyama studied the incision, then made the incision higher on the chest, and Miki then handed him an instrument used to cut the ribs, on the other side of the sternum. The ribs were then retracted. (Komori or other doctor cut ribs on other side of sternum, Ishiyama cut ribs 2 on each side) Ishiyama, Komori and the other doctor (either Mori or Hirao) were applying gauze to stop bleeding. Ishiyama inspected the lungs with his hands. Tsutsui was taking the Prisoner's pulse and helping the doctor with the injection. After the incision was open the Prisoner's condition changed; his pulse became weak, was given injections of camphor to strengthen his heart by Tsutsui, on order of Ishiyama. His pulse then became the same as before the operation.

The Prisoner's pulse was slightly weaker than normal before the operation

Statement of Tsutsui (27 Aug and ____ 1947) Cont'd ..... because of his emaciated condition. After uncovering the lungs with his hands Ishiyama applied gauze to stop the bleeding, then, holding the right lung with a pair of pincers, cut out about l/3 of the right lung, studied it, then passed it to Miki. Ishi­yama was speaking German to Komori and the other doctors; doesn't know what he said. Miki put this part of the lung, about the size of her hand, in a pan on the table.

The Prisoner was in good condition, but after the lung incision was sutured and tied, taking about 15 minutes, his condition became bad, and he was given 3 injections of camphor within 5 minutes, Ishiyama started to sew up the incision, but he died about the time it was sewed up. When he was washing his hands, he was asking Komori about the condition of the patient.

Hirako came in while the operation was going on and it was either during the operation or after the first operation that Ishiyama introduced him to Sato. Suyama was not there, Miki and Tsutsui were the only nurses present.

Ishiyama and Komori pointed out the various organs in the chest cavity to Sato, explained the instruments.

2nd PW - Ishiyama made an incision about 3" above the bottom of the sternum to the navel, the incision was retracted. About 3" of 2 ribs were removed and the ribs retracted exposing the lung, which showed signs of pleurisy and seemed to be punctured because Tsutsui could hear air coming out of the lung when the Prisoner breathed.

The doctors examined the lung, at which time his condition became weak, and Tsutsui gave him 4-5 shots of camphor at about 5 minute intervals. During the time the incision was being made and the ribs removed, Tsutsui had given him about 6 injections of camphor. When his condition became weak, Ishiyama started to sew up the incision, the Prisoner dying about 5 minutes after it was sewed. The operation lasted 40-60 minutes.

Tsutsui recalls Ishiyama and Komori telling Sato that the lung showed signs of pleural scars. If pleurisy, and puss forms between the pleura and the lung, it must be opened. The location of the puss can be determined by tapping with the fingers, listening with a stethoscope, can be verified by inserting a needle and checking it. Tsutsui remembers Ishiyama tapping his chest and then listening with a stethoscope before making the incision.

2-3 days later, at about 1000, Ishiyama told Tsutsui there would be more opera­tions and directed Tsutsui to prepare the instruments for a stomach operation. Tsutsui told Miki and they took the instruments for a stomach operation to the dissection room about 1330 from a room next to the dissecting room.

Shortly-after, Ishiyama, Komori, and other doctors entered. Miki, Suyama, Mori and possibly’ Torisu were there, with Sato and another military man.

Around the operating table were Ishiyama, Komori, Miki, Suyama, Tsutsui, Mori, Torisu, and, Tsutsui believes, Hirao. Ishiyama gave locals, made an incision

Statement of Tsutsui (27 Aug ____1947) Cont'd....... from the center at about breast line down to the navel and slightly below. There was a blood removing machine present; Tsutsui doesn't know whether it was used. One of the assistant doctors wiped blood. Ishiyama then examined the stomach by feeling and looking into it, 15-20 minutes not haveing been spent. The blood vessels were tied off. Tsutsui then left and went to the other table to prepare for that operation, the Prisoner still alive, no unusual bleeding. Tsutsui went back and forth several times carrying instruments or medicines. 10 minutes after first leav­ing the table, Ishiyama went to the 2nd table. The incision was still open, the Prisoner alive, Komori then took over. 15-20 minutes later one of the doctors came over to the 2nd table, told Ishiyama the Prisoner was dying, Ishiyama said, "Oh, is that so,” and returned to the 1st table, stayed 5 minutes returned, the Prisoner still alive. 5 minutes later Tsutsui went to the first table to get something, and the Prisoner was drawing his last breath, the Pri­soner dying before Komori finished sewing him up. There did not appear to be an abnormal amount of bleeding.

Ishiyama did remove about 7/10 of this Prisoner's stomach, placed it in a con­tainer on the table. The stomach appeared normal. This operation did cause him to die sooner than he would have otherwise.

2nd PW - Ishiyama made an incision similar to that on the 1st Prisoner. Either Torisu, Hirao or Mori assisted Ishiyama. Present at one time or duing all these operations were Ishiyama, Komori, Torisu, Mori and Hirao.

This was a long operation. Tsutsui took care of the surgical instruments, heard Ishiyama say something about pleurisy. Tsutsui doesn't believe that the lung was removed.

3rd series - 3-4 days after the 2nd. - Ishiyama told Tsutsui that morning that there was to be an operation, that she was to prepare the instruments.

Ishiyama, Komori, Tsutsui, Suyama, Miki, Nogawa and either Hjrao or Mori were present. Ishiyama and Komori performed the operation, either Hirao or Mori assisted.

Ishiyama stood at one side of the Prisoner's head at the side of the table, Komori opposite.

Ishiyama made a 3 sided incision in the back of the head, the skin picked up and tucked over the forepart of the head and then the bone was exposed. 4 holes were drilled into the bone of the head Just through the bone structure. A small medical saw was then inserted from 1 hole to another directly under the bone structure and the operation then continued by sawing from the bottom up until the bone was severed. That part of the skull was then laid aside.0 There was quite a bit of blood coming from the head. A mechanical instrument for taking away the blood was used.

Ishiyama, Komori, and either Hirao or Mori sewed him up. Tsutsui recalls Hirako coming to the table while Ishiyama was operating, but doesn't remember what he said, believes he brought a model brain into the operating room.

Statement of Tsutsui (27 Aug ____ 1947) Cont'd ...... 3-4 days later, at 1000, Ishiyama told Tsutsui there was to an artery operation, to prepare for it, and Tsutsui and Miki prepared the instruments, took them to the dissecting room from Ishiyama Surgery. The operation took place about 1500. Ishiyama, Hirao, Mori, Seriba, Komori, Sato, Tsutsui and Miki or Suyama were there.

Ishiyama or Komori made an incision about 2" long in the Prisoner's right leg in the groin area, the incision made in the area of the large artery going down the leg. TSutsui believes either ether or chloroform was used. There was a pan on the floor and a tube leading from the artery into the pan. As the blood flowed out Seriba injected the sea water into the Prisoner's arm. The other doctors watched.

Tsutsui believes he died of excess bleeding. If the vein were cut for experi­mental purposes it was illegal. Tsutsui saw nothing done to stop the blood flow; if they had the Prisoner would have not died. Tsutsui felt it was an experimental operation. The doctors were talking about the sea water injection. Tsutsui knew the operation was unnecessary after it was over.

Statement of Sato (2 July 1946) After visiting KIU Hospital to observe the experiments, Sato did not see Ishiyama until October when he visited him as to keeping the operations secret. Ishiyama said he could not hide this matter by himself, requested Sato to have the army conceal it; Sato said he would do his best.

Sato again saw Ishiyama in November or December, told him that they would try to conceal the matter of the experiments by stating that the PWs were sent to Hiroshima and killed by the atomic bombs. Ishiyama was very worried that the experiments would be disclosed.

About the end of April 1946 Ishiyama called Sato over to the hospital to dis­cuss the experiments, and he, Torisu and Hirako told him that in the event that this matter was brought out into the open they had decided to blame Komori by saying that Komori had asked to use an operating room and had conducted the ex­periments himself. They were quite worried, said they must get their stories straight, as it would be disastrous for the hospital and University if it be­came known.

Statement of Sato (17 July 1946) Sato did not order Ishiyama to perform these operations; if there was such an order, it must have been given by Komori. Sato is positive that Ishiyama and the hospital staff did not request permission to perform these operations.

Statement of Sato (18 July 1946) About 2000 last night (17 July 1946) Ishi­yama called from the next cell to Sato, for the first time since in jail, told Sato that he did not take the initiative in performing the operations, but was ordered to perform them by Komori, that Kqmori told him that he had the per­mission of the CG (Yokoyama). Sato advised Ishiyama to turn over this informa­tion to the authorities— believes he was waiting for the guard so that he could contact LS.

On returning to his cell at 1900, Sato called Aihara and told him that he, Sato,

Statement of Sato (18 July 1946) Cont'd. ..... would take full responsibility for the army's port, that Ishiyama and his staff had made a sworn statement that they were ordered by the army, that Komori told Sato that he had the per­mission of Yokoyama, that Sato then went to Yokoyama who said that he had given Komori permission through Horiuchi, warned Aihara that he was deceiving the Allied Forces.

This morning, about 0610, 18 July 1946, Sato tried to wake Ishiyama up, but he did't answer. At 0700, when the guard opened Ishiyama's door, there was a great deal of commotion, and he knew something had happened to Ishiyama.

Statement of Sato (ATIS translation) Sato first heard of the KIU incident from Komori, but Ishiyama also told him about it after the first operation. Since it might have unfavorable public reaction if it were known that KIU had requested Prisoners for the operations, the request was submitted in the name of Ishiyama.

Statement of Aihara (18 July 1946) 2nd series of operations at KIU - Aihara went by street car; there were 6-7 people there, including Ishiyama, Hirako, Sato and Komori. Yakumaru might have been there.

Statement of Hirao (14 July 1946) Ishiyama said during the first operation that the lung could have been removed more easily had the incision been made in the side.

Ishiyama was interested in finding this nerve (trigeminus nerve, brain opera­tion) because it controls facial neuralgia, but the patient didn't suffer from "Trigeminus neuralgia." Ishiyama planned on going to an area in the center of the cranium about ear level and slightly to the rear to the "Substantia Nigra” because he felt that this organ caused Epilepsy. In trying to locate the Trigeminus nerve, the samll brain was moved a great deal, it took a long time to find it, and the large amount of anaesthesia administered resulted in death. This was an experiment;-Hirao told Ishiyama he didn't like that kind of operation; he could not get it out of his mind, so he resigned.

Ishiyama also said that he did not like this type of operation, but that it was an army order to perform it. At this 2nd operation, Ishiyama was in charge, did the cutting, Komori was his chief assistant, used the ’’gigli" saw.

The purpose was to get to the substantia nigra. In the 1st operation, the patient died before they reached the area. The 2nd Prisoner died as did the first. This operation took place in the Autopsy experimental operating room about 20 May. 3 American PWs were operated on.

There were 2 operations being performed at the same time. Hirao assisted in the one with Komori and Mori and 2 other young doctors. At the other operating table were Ishiyama, Tanaka, and 2 young doctors. These took place about 1400.

The 3rd operation was performed about 1500 by Ishiyama, Komori and, Hirao believes, Tanaka. Hirao didn*t see it until it was over. Half of the liver was removed (2nd series ???); the patient was dead. This was a very difficult operation, but Ishiyama's favorite. Once he had performed it on a Japanese who lived.

Statement of Hirao (14 July 1946) Cont'd ...... Sato came to the University several times, told Ishiyama, Torisu and Hirao to keep the operations secret, to convey this to Tanaka, Hirako and Mori.

Hirao believes that in early January 1946 Ishiyama received an anonymous letter threatening to expose him. Ishiyama told Torisu and Hirao, said they were not to disclose the experiments, was worried, said he was sorry he ordered Torisu and Hirao to participate, that he wished he had not received an order from the army to perform experimental operations, on PWs.

Statement of Katayama, Chikae (nee Sakai) (8-10 July 1947) About May,Katayama saw Ishiyama and other doctors go down toward the anatomy dissection room, about 1000. They took some equipment from a store room across the hall from the dissecting room and brought it into the dissection room.

Statement of Sato (13 July 1946) Sato did not order Ishiyama to perform these operations; if there had been one, it would have been secret and just seen by the CG and Chief of Staff, then issued directly to the Chief Medical Officer as a secret order (Yokoyama, Inada, Horiuchi)

Sato did not order Ishiyama to perform these operations; if there was an order it must have been given him by Komori. Sato is positive that Ishiyama and the hospital staff did not request permission to perform these operations.

Statement of Takagi (24 June 1947) 2nd series - Someone came in the servants room and told them to stay away from the autopsy room, Takagi then saw Ishiyama and 4-5 other professors and a couple of nurses walking in the hallway toward the autopsy room.

Statement of Kobayakawa (18 August 1947) Ishiyama was a famous doctor, read that he committed suicide.

Statement of Takata (17-24 June 1947) About a week after the 1st time Makino again came to Takata and told him to bring 2 coffins to the autopsy room, which Takata did, and about an hour later a truck stopped in back of the Anatomy build­ing, 2 blindfolded American PWs and several Japanese soldiers got out. When the Prisoners were taken in Ishiyama and 4-5 other doctos went inside also.

Takata kept no record of the cremations since Hirako told him not to on these bodies after the 1st time, and the 2nd time was after Ishiyama and the others were arrested.