GraceK


 * Iwane Matsui**

Nanking Massacre

Concerning atrocities in Nanking, Matsui noted in his war journal about rapes (20 December) and looting (29 December) and wrote it was very much regrettable that those behaviours destroyed the reputation of the Imperial Army. He also mentioned "a number of abominable incidents within the past 50 days" at the memorial service for the war-dead of the SEF held on 7 February[2] and rebutted in tears the officers and the soldiers in the place, saying that atrocities done by a part of the soldiers had dropped down the reputation of the empire, such a thing should not happen in the Imperial Army, they should keep the disciplines strictly and should never persecute the innocent people, and so on.[3]

Trial General Iwane Matsui, 1945

Arrested by the American occupation authorities after the surrender of Japan, Matsui was charged with war crimes in connection with the actions of the Japanese army in China. In 1948, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) found him guilty of class B and C war crimes, and he was hanged that December at Sugamo Prison, alongside six others, including Hideki Tojo. He was 71 at the time of his death.

Evidence

In court, Muto straightforwardly admitted that what the prosecutors dubbed the Rape of Nanking took place. There were many other Japanese witnesses who acknowledged that there were excesses of Japanese troops in Nanking, though their perceptions as to the scale of the Rape of Nanking varied.

Among the most candid witnesses was Ishii Itaro, the East Asia Bureau chief of the Foreign Ministry. He testified that he was briefed about the rape, arson, looting, and murders from Foreign Ministry offices in Nanjing and Shanghai. In his autobiography, Ishii wrote that he and Foreign Minister Hirota Koki had warned the Army many times to take action.

WORKS CITED: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iwane_Matsui

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============================================================================================== __Prosecutor__: Hello, ladies and gentlemen. In this portion of the video, I’ll be gathering up evidence to prove to you that General Matsui should be charged of war crimes for his inappropriate actions. __General Matsui__: Hey, I am General Matsui. Do I get to say anything in this portion of the video? __Prosecutor__: Unfortunately, no, unless I ask you some questions. Then that’s when you’re able to talk. __General Matsui__: Okay, before I present you my evidence, I will provide you some important background regarding this trial. General Matsui is accused of setting up the Nanking Massacre in China, where Japanese soldiers have committed countless atrocious acts to the innocent Chinese civilians. General Matsui, during the Sino-Japanese War, you’re main intention was to capture the city of Nanking. According to the historian, Hiroshi Yoshida, you told your War Minister that "There's no solution except to break the power of Chiang Kai-shek by capturing Nanking. That is what I must do." [1] This obviously implies that you wanted to capture and destroy Nanking by force. Now, let me show you some gruesome pictures of war crimes that the Japanese soldiers have committed [2] [3]. Don’t they look extremely shocking and disturbing? Now, General Matsui, there were claims that you marched your troops to Nanking. Then, that’s when your soldiers began committing acts of rape, torture, and murder to the citizens. __General Matsui__: Wait! How can you prove that I marched my troops to Nanking? __Prosecutor__: What did I say about you talking to me, unless you’re being asked? Did I ever asked you a question? And how can I prove that? Well it’s simple. I have perfect evidence to support you people that he was marching to Nanking. Look at this picture [4]. If you can clearly see this picture, that was General Matsui on the front with his horse, followed by his troops. This picture was taken in December 17, 1937. That was about a week after the Japanese troops engaged a battle in Nanking. Due to these evidences I have, I can safely assume that General Matsui should be charged of war crimes. His intention in coming to Nanking was to try to capture the city of Nanking. Also, by seeing such atrocities performed by his Japanese troops, there’s no doubt that he, along with his troops, should be held responsible for the actions. Thank you.
 * Prosecutor’s evidence**

[1] [] [2] [] [3] [] [4] __ __