Defendant: Aona, Shigeru, Physician
Docket Date: 8/ Feb. 6, 1946 - Feb. 22, 1946, Yokohama, Japan
Charge: 1. Committing cruel and brutal atrocities and other offenses
against POWS 2. Permitting his staff to commit cruel and brutal atrocities
and other offenses
Specifications:
Verdict: Confinement at hard labor for 10 years
Reviewing Authority Recommendations: The Judge Advocate found it "ridiculous
to presume that as an officer in the Japanese Army, or any other modern
army, could not prevent the mistreatment of prisoners by his enlisted
subordinates, or that he had no responsibility for their actions."
The accused had recourse to remedies for restricting the behavior of subordinates
which he occasionally used, but these remedies were not "pursued
as accused's general rule." So, he was found guilty of command responsibility.
The Judge Advocate also found that the defendant was responsible when
he directly mistreated prisoners by withholding treatment and when he
failed to reprimand or to report practices dangerous to the health of
prisoners.
Reviewing Authority: Paul E. Spurlock, Reviewer, Judge Advocate Section
Prosecution Arguments:
Defense Arguments: 1. Prisoners of war were in poor physical condition
upon their arrival at the camp 2. Inadequate medicines and facilities
3. Denied abuse or mistreatment of prisoners 4. Claimed that he was not
responsible for the actions of his subordinates: that was the responsibility
of the camp commander
Judge Advocate's Recommendations:
