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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: Takeuchi, Hiroshi, Lieutenant and Camp Commander at Tokyo Area POW Branch Camp No. 1, Kawasaki

Docket No./ Date: 16/ Mar. 28 - April 29, 1946, Yokohama, Japan

Charge: 1. Committed cruel and brutal atrocities and other offenses against POWs 2. Failed to discharge his duty to control and restrain persons under his command and supervision, and permitted them to commit cruel and brutal atrocities and other offenses against POWs

Specifications:

Verdict: 10 years confinement at hard labor/ Sentence Upheld

Reviewing Authority's Recommendations:

Reviewing Authority: Cyril D. Hill, Lt. Colonel, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate

Prosecution Arguments:

Defense Arguments: 1. Denial of committing violations 2. Denial of seeing violations 3.Stated that he warned his men daily against striking prisoners 4. Admitted that it was Japanese custom to slap prisoners and that the accused generally, slapped prisoners of war. 5. Claimed that requesting prisoners of war to stand outside for a long period of time was not punishment but a means of investigation.

Judge Advocate's Recommendations: The Army Judge Advocate, Allan R. Browne, pointed out the inadequate and disproportionate sentences to the instances of beatings.




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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