Statements Concerning Yoshinao Sato

SATO, YOSHINAO

Statement of Aihara (420, 26 Apr. 47) Between 15-20 May, asked for Prisoner roster, since they were to be sent to KIU for operations - about 10 names, - believes Plambeck's name was on the roster, Sato pointed to two names, said they would be taken to University, Aihara put check mark beside names. Sato instructed him to tell Administra­tion Section to prepare Prisoners. On that afternoon believes he saw Sato and Komori leave by truck. 

7-8 Prisoners sent to University, and in each case orders to Goiyama given to Aihara by Sato. Komori and Sato were very good friends. Sato told Aihara that Komori was attached to headquarters hospital. In the evening 2-3 days before first operation, Sato told Aihara that Komori a very good liaison man between University and army and he was to take Prisoners to University for operations by Komori. Prisoners sent to KIU selected by Sato only, who would point out names from roster Aihara would bring.

Just prior to 2nd. time, Sato cautioned others of necessity of secrecy, which Aihara relayed to driver of car and guards. Sato then came over to truck, cautioned all. Prisoners then brought out, entrucked, blindfolded, and Komori, Sato, and Prisoners left.

That morning - 5-6 days after first operation, Sato asked for roster, picked out about 3 names, which information Aihara gave to Goiyama.

3rd operation; about 1 June. Sato told him and then or next morning, Sato pointed to 1 (I believe) name to be sent that afternoon. In early PM Sato told Aihara to come along. Aihara then saw Sato and Komori outside detention barracks, who then got in staff car and drove away. When Aihara arrived about 1500, operation had already started, believed operation on head. Sato, Komori, 6-7 others there. Hole in man's skull.

4th operation: About 1 week after 3rd, Sato asked where Prisoners not yet crossed off had been captured— about 10 names. Sato checked 2, Aihara gave information to Goiyama that they were to be released to Komori.

About 15-20 August Sato told Aihara story would be that KIU victims killed at Hiroshima. Afterwards Sato told Aihara many times to con­ceal matter.

In last 10 days of August Sato ordered Aihara to go to Hiroshima to make arrangements about 9 Prisoners, Aihara refused, but Sato insisted. At Hiroshima Aihara talked to Maj. Yoshikawa at headquarters, gave him orders from Sato. 9 Prisoners were 8 of KIU and 1 of 20 June execution Yoshikawa at first refused, then agreed since order of Sato.

Statement of Akita (420, 22 May 47) In about November Sato brought list of number of Prisoners sent to various locations. Aihara 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 latter part of November.

Sato - 2

Statement of Ishimura (420, 9 May 47) Around May 1945 heard from Sato of KIU. Sato was going to see Ishiyama, he said, about Ameri­can flyers to be used at KIU, but Sato said he could not give her reason. Ishimura met Ishiyama at Western Army Headquarters after war when he came to see Sato, but Sato had gone to KIU to meet Ishi­yama. Middle of May. Ishimura then decided that flyers to be used for guineau pigs, but she doesn’t know how she comes to this conclu­sion.

Then she related that the next night Sato told her that the American flyers were given Masui - anaesthetic - to drink, that he, Sato, saw this - that they were doing something big and different, but secret. Sato and Ishimura were having affair. Sato told her that Ishiyama had done a good thing for the country, that the flyers died at the hospital, that experimental operations were performed on the chest, abdomen and head at KIU. Ishimura heard from Mrs. Koshin Sato, his legal wife, that Sato had told her that Komori proposed to use the American flyers for experiment at KIU Hospital.

Statement of Ikeda (23-25 June 1947) In August 1945, after the surren­der, Sato asked Ikeda to write out one death certificate for a B-29 crew member. Ikeda "gathers" flier had been executed. It seemed that there had been some records stating that one PW was sent there; there­fore he wanted to account for him with this death certificate. Sato had not ordered him to do this, merely requested it, and since Ikeda had never seen this Prisoner, he refused. Ikeda believes Sato came to him because he was the only medical Officer present at the time.