Defendant: Hara, Mokichi, Guard, Hiroshima POW Branch Camp No. 1

Docket No./ Date: 39A/ July 1-31, 1946, Yokohama, Japan

Charge: Violation of the Laws and Customs of War: 1. Did willfully and unlawfully commit cruel, inhuman and brutal acts, atrocities and other offenses against certain American, British and other Allied POWs.

Specifications:

Verdict: 1 year confinement at hard labor

Reviewing Authority's Recommendations: Record is legally sufficient to sustain the findings and sentence of the commission. From the evidence the guilt of the accused is established. There is no evidence that the accused was not sane at the time the alleged aacts were committed.

Reviewing Authority: Paul E. Spurlock, Reviewer, Judge Advocate Section

Prosecution Arguments: 1. Accused beat a prisoners with hands, fists and a bamboo stick without explanation. 2. Accused was "one of the guards who beat prisoners" regularly, "perhaps once or twice a week."

Defense Arguments: 1. Was instructed that errant prisoners could be sent to the office or, if they "did any violent act toward them, they would be allowed to strike them in self protection." 2. He slapped a prisoner in three instances: twice when prisoner failed to heed his orders and once when prisoner was laughing at him.

Judge Advocate's Recommendations: