Statement Concerning Hiroji Nakayama

S/D (16 Jan 48)

34, in army from 1938 to April 1944; then September 1944 to 27 September 1945, is a graduate architect, Defendant was redrafted as a 1st Lt. in the WAH Propoganda Sec. under Col. Machida, said job included giving information to civilians and relaying airraid warnings, censoring, although Defendant did no censorship, did have contact with SATO, YAKUMARU, AKITA, TOMOMORI, FUKUSHIMA and INADA in the staff section, in propoganda work. After 19 June (airraid) FUKUSHIMA became the highest ranking staff Officer at Headquarters and it was no longer necessary to get INADA's stamp.

Defendant recalls seeing an article in the Civilian Defense newspaper stating that flyers were to be taken on capture to the nearest army unit, that every attempt to capture them alive should be made, even if they should shoot. Defendant only heard of the 20 June execution and that of 12 August.

About 1000 15 August Defendant received a copy of the emperor’s speech, took it to KUSUMOTO. While there SATO told FUSUMOTO that orders for the execution of the flyers were out. Shortly after 1200 Defendant was told by SATO that he was to be an executioner that day. After the Emperor’s speech over a phonograph to the HQ. personnel, KUSUMOTO said that those who had been previously notified were to remain, which included 1st Lt. MAIDA, 1st Lt. AKAMINE, 1st Lt. HASHIYAMA. KUSUMOTO then read a prepared paper stating there would be an execution of enemy flyers since they were held responsible for indiscriminate bombings, and that they were to exe­cute them, that the Adjutant Section (JIN) would arrange for the truck, the area, and the guards, that the execution would be kept secret.

About 1400 SATO came into the propoganda office, said to Defendant that he should come along to the execution, that the others seemed to have left at about 1400. SATO told Defendant to get in the back of the car, then told ISHIMURA, a girl clerk, to get in, and SATO sat in the middle. In answer to Defendants request, SATO said that the authority of courts martial continued until ordered otherwise by General Staff Headquarters. Defendant presumed the flyers had been tried, did not ask.

They arrived at Aburayama about 1515 (SATO didn’t know the way). Defendant noted guards on the road and in the area. He then noticed 4-5 dead bodies clothed in the summer khaki uniform of the captured airmen, the necks partially cut through in a small clear area. From the bamboo forest beyond they heard shouts of "Yatto" 2-3 times, which sounded like an exclamation used if one were beheading. At the edge of to the clearing 2 captured flyers were sitting, blindfolded. 1st Lts. AKAMINE and HASHIYAMA were standing in the clearing just beyond where the bodies were lying.

Either AKAMINE or HASHIYAMA reported to SATO that the executions were being carried. out; SATO said to continue. AKAMINE and HASHIYAMA then beheaded the two flyers, and one of them asked SATO to permit Defendant to take part, whereupon SATO said, "1st Lt. NAKAYAMA, perform the executions." Previously Defendant noted 3 heads of flyers in the bushes as he had passed.

About this time Defendant explained to the group the etiquette that the neck must not be completely severed, that this was insulting to the person being beheaded. Two flyers were led in, placed in a sitting position withtheir feet in front. Def­endant cut the neck of the first flyer and then swung the sword around and cut his neck from the front, not entirely cleaving the head. SATO then told him to continue and he executed the 2nd in like manner.

NAKAYAMA - 2

A third flyer was then brought into the clearing, and HASHIYAMA hit the flyer in the neck with his sword and killed him; his knees shook before bringing the sword down. Defendant believes that MAIDA then came out of the woods and he or AKAMINE or HASHIYAMA reported that the executions were finished to SATO, who then made a short speech askkng them to be complete and careful in the final details of the execution, evidently referring to cremation. SATO, ISHIMURA and Defendant then started back to the car; on the way they met 2nd Lt. NAKAMURA, and SATO told him about the same he had previously told the others (care in cremation). They found their car outside the crematorium gate alongside two trucks. They then returned.

Defendant saw at the executions a naval Officer who worked in the oprations room with MAIDA and AKAMINE either an ensign or Lt. JG-; his duty was to keep the navy informed as to airraids. 2nd Lt. NAKANISHI also worked in the operations room with the naval Officer ( 2 0 - 3 0 worked in this room.) Defendant heard that the naval Officer performed an execution about 22 August, at which time FUKUSHIMA asked Defendant why any newspaper reporters knew of the execution of airmen. Defendant said he didn’t think so, whereupon FUKUSHIMA said the newspapers should print nothing of them, and further stated that "we higher ranking officers" would take full responsibility, since the junior Officers acted on their orders, and that Defendant should tell the other parties this. Defendant told this to AKAMINE, HASHIYAMA and MAIDA, and one of them said 16 had been executed, that the naval Officer was "in on this."

Defendant recalls that a sergeant or sergeant major was also present. They received their orders for the 15 August execution from Assistant Adjutant KUSUMOTO, which Defendant interpreted as coming from YOKOYAMA. Defendant then recalls that when FUKUSHIMA cautioned him as to not disclosing the execution to the newspapers he also told Defendant to check his sword to see that no blood or bone remained on it, which Defendant passed on to AKAMINE, MAIDA and HASHIYAMA.