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World War II Pacific Theater Case Synopses from Judge Advocate's Reviews Yokohama Class B and C War Crimes Trials

Defendant: Motoyashiki, Shinichi, civilian employee oat Hirohata P.O.W. Camp

Docket No./ Date: 19/ Mar. 19, 1946, Yokohama, Japan(?)

Charge: 1. Committed cruel, inhuman and brutal atrocities against American POWs

Specifications:

Verdict: 20 years confinement/ Sentence Upheld

Reviewing Authority's Recommendations: 1. Accused "never claimed that he was ordered to beat a prisoner of war by any higher authority" and based on the creation of a heavier, "reform bat" for beatings by the accused, found that the accused "had too much initiative" to have been compelled.

Reviewing Authority: Ralph W. Yarborough, Lt. Col., Assistant Staff Judge Advocate

Prosecution Arguments:

Defense Arguments: 1. Admitted to slapping, striking and splashing water on prisoners of war but denied harsher beatings and torture of prisoners 2. Denied knowing about some of the charges in the indictment

Judge Advocate's Recommendations:



Child Testifying in Court in Manila.
Photo: U.S. Army, courtesy of Bob Harmon

The trial records of Japanese War Criminals Tried at Yokohama, Japan, between 1946 and 1949 is broken into 2 sets:

  1. 59 reels - Records of Trials and Clemency Petitions for Accused Japanese War Criminals Tried at Yokohama, Japan (1946-1948)
  2. 5 reels - Reviews of the Yokohama Class B and C war crimes Trials by the 8th Army judge Advocate (1946-1949)

The following is a summary of the corresponding case found in the latter group (5-reel set of Judge Advocate's Reviews). Analysis Prepared by Stella Lee Researcher, War Crimes Studies Center


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