Press translations [Japan]. Political Series 0350, 1946-02-18.

Summary:

The JIMMIN SHIMPO has often accused the KAHOKU SHIMPO (Local paper in the SENDAI district) of its responsibility for serious crimes in this district and required that it be punished for this reason. The continued existence of this paper, in the past, without any self-examination, is considered to be a disgrace to the democratic culture of this country. Meanwhile, the purge directive was issued by General MACARTHUR's Headquarters, and Mr. ICHIRIKI, president of this paper who is liable under the scope of the purge directive will be expelled. The employees of this news agency have begun a movement for its democratization. If their movement for the renovation of this agency succeeds, it may be able to continue its existence.

Full Translation:

The trial for the major war crime suspects headed by General TOJO is to be opened shortly. At present, the Prosecution Section of the International Tribunal, under the Allied Supreme Headquarters is making full preparations for the trial led by Chief Public Prosecutor KEENAN. The Prosecution Section has its three sub-sections which are thoroughly investigating various important affairs that took place from June, 1930 to December, 1941.

The first sub-section is in charge of examining the violations of treaties from June, 1930 to December, 1935, and of gathering data concerning the KWANTUNG Army, the Manchurian Incident, and the "May 15 Incident" in 1932.

The second sub-section has charge of investigating violations of treaties from January, 1936 to June, 1939, relatively, of the "February 26 Incident" in 1936, the two political conspiracies of the general elections which happened in 1936 and 1937, the China Incident of 7 June, 1937, and the war against CHINA.

The third sub-section is investigating offenses against treaties between August, 1939 and December, 1941; the relations between JAPAN, GERMANY, and ITALY; the Ant-Comintern Pact of 1939; establishment of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association; the Tripartite Military Alliance of 1940; the Russo-Japanese Treaty on the Inviolability of Territory, concluded in April 1941; the relation between JAPAN, AMERICA, and BRITAIN in 1940 and 1941; and decisions on the attack on AMERICA, and the offensive movements against AMERICA, BRITAIN, and HOLLAND

POLITICAL SERIES: 350 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

Besides, there are several sub-sections which inquire into various problems, such as the Zaibatsu, expansionists, ultr[illegible]-nationalistic bodies, the military caste, and bureaucracy. The Prosecution Section is now gathering data necessary for these investigations, which are to be placed in eight classifications:

• 1.Special research of confiscated documents, all of them concerning Japan's war-plans and activities.
• 2.Records collected by the Counter Intelligence Service, consisting of data on black markets; behavior of individuals, Japanese government or leaders in JAPAN, particular investigations, records of various bodies, and data for civil examination.
• 3.Data gathered by the Government Section and the Economic Science Section, including records, documents, studies and analysis concerning the present Japanese government officials, each ministry Zaibatsu, industries, economics, and finance.
• 4.Data presented by the Civil Information and Education, including research, propaganda, speeches in the newspaper, essays, analysis of Japanese life and industries, economics, and politics.
• 5.Records and documents readjusted by the Allied authorities.
• 6.Information on persons and affairs brought by the general public.
• 7.Special investigations made by a fully-trained staff.
• 8.Data on all persons and bodies known by the Prosecution Section, reports of questions, reports of examinations, and complete lists.

'A' Class Trial Urged, (U.P.) Tokyo 14 February.

The international tribunal for the so-called 'A' class war criminal suspects headed by TOJO is to be opened shortly. Different from NUREMBERG, lawsuits will be sent, not respectively, but jointly, with a view to strengthening the combination of every power, thereby speeding up the progress of the trial, TOJO may be the first to be tried. However, the number of the defendants to stand with TOJO may be limited to 20 or 30 lest the trial should become too prolix. Large-scale preparations are now being made for the tribunal, and a number of evidences have already been gathered. It seems, however, difficult to open the court on 1 March, the scheduled date. Some public prosecutors have not yet arrived in JAPAN.

Major-General KAMISAGO was sent to War Criminals' Camp, according to the announcement of a spokesman of the Counter Intelligence Section of the Allied Headquarters on 15 February. Ex-Coriander of the Gendarmerie in FORMOSA, Major-General KAMISAGO, Masahichi, was brought back to JAPAN and is now detained in the SUGAMO Camp.

In August of 1942, he was a Colonel, commanding the 1st Detachment of the Military Police in the Southern Area. Soon after, he was promoted to Major-General and in 1943, he became the Commander of the KURUME Detachment. Finally, in January of 1945, he was appointed the Commander of the Gendarmerie in FORMOSA.

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POLITICAL SERIES: 350 (Continued)

Summary:

The return of Mr. NOZAKA, Sanzo gave an incentive to the formation of a united front by the Communists and the Social Democrats, but the central Committee of the latter is assuming a negative attitude towards the movement. This is because the latter party schemes to take the initiative in the forth-coining general election. We feel as if the democratic front leaves something to be desired as yet, but arrangements have been made to start a campaign for the purpose of realizing the front by establishing a preliminary promoter's association at an early date.

On the contrary, an opportunity is steadily ripening in the provinces, and on the 9th of this month, the Democratic Bodies' Council was formed in MIE Ken with the GAGUDO's Society which is supporting old Mr. OZAKI, Gakudo as its leader. In YAMANASHI Ken, with the enthusiastic backin of the Agricultural Association, and branches both of the Social Democrats and the Communists and various other bodies, a meeting to form a people's front was successfully held on the 16th. Furthermore, vigorous movements are taking place in EHIME, SAITAMA and other prefectures. In KYOTO, the Liberals participated in the people's front, and a round-table conference which was attended by Mr. NOZAKA was held on the 11th. How the lack of consistency like this between the central office and the provincial branches will affect a united front is beginning to be watched with keen interest.

DISTRIBUTION "X"

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