Nagaosa Hirio and others
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DATE OF CRIMES
10 October 1943 - 31 March 1944. 5 June - 22 August 1944. 22 August 1944 - 19 August 1945. 29 July 1945.
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LOCATION OF CRIMES
Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
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DATE OF TRIAL
22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 April and 1, 2, 3, 7 May 1946
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LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
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Case Summary
The Japanese forces in the Andamans, anxious to retain the loyalty of the civilian inhabitants, made scapegoats of the victims by using torture to extract false confessions of espionage from the victims. The defendants were employed as investigators of espionage cases in the civil jail where the offences were allegedly committed. Mitsubashi was in charge of the investigations, while the rest of the defendants were under his supervision. At least one victim died due to ill treatment by the defendants, whereas over forty others were executed on the basis of the extorted confessions. All the charges relate to the ill treatment (including torture) of various victims, resulting in suffering and death for some.
For more information see:
http://www.legal-tools.org/doc/563e72/
The defendants' investigations against the victims were deemed "spy cases" by the media. See: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19460423-1.2.29.aspx?q=nagaosa&page=1&sort=relevance&token=nagaosa&sessionid=498ff9ef5c43464493c6ad49e7c749d7
The media also noted that the defendants were not cooperative. See: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19460502-1.2.55.aspx?q=nagaosa&page=1&sort=relevance&token=nagaosa&sessionid=498ff9ef5c43464493c6ad49e7c749d7
DEFENDANTS
Nagaosa, Hirio. Chief Petty Officer. From Japanese military. From Japan. Not guilty on one charge, guilty on two others. Death by hanging. Sentence confirmed.
Tada, Miyoshi. Petty Officer. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty. Death by hanging. Sentence confirmed.
Ozaki, Fukuichi. Chief Petty Officer. From Japanese military. From Japan. Guilty on two charges. Death by hanging. Sentence confirmed.
Okumura, Senichi. Sergeant. From Japanese military. From Japan. Not guilty on one charge, guilty on another charge. 15 years' imprisonment. Sentence confirmed.
Hayashi, Yasuo. Sergeant. From Japanese military. From Japan. Not guilty on two charges, guilty on another. 15 years' imprisonment. Sentence confirmed.
Mitsubishi, Mataichi. Civil Administrator (Head of General Affairs Department/Police Chief). Civilian. From Japan. Guilty on three charges. Death by hanging. Sentence confirmed.
Hashida, Susumu. Interpreter. Civilian. From Japan. Not guilty on one charge, guilty on two others. Death by hanging. Sentence confirmed.
Mikami, Yoshiharu. Interpreter. Civilian. From Japan. Not guilty. Finding confirmed.
JUDGES
Silkin, S.C. Lieutenant Colonel. From British military. Court president. Barrister-at-law.
Lewis, R.I. Major. From British military.
Topping, R.J. Major. From British Indian Army.
PROSECUTION
Hibbert, A.A. Captain. From British military. Law student.
Southall, P. Captain. From British military.
DEFENCE LAWYERS
Saeki, Kinji. Former judge in Hiroshima.
Tamesume, Komori. Lieutenant Colonel. From Japanese military.