Yokohama Reviews

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

Defendant: Saito Yoichi, Captain, Japanese Army

Docket No./ Date: 63/ Aug. 13 - Sept. 5, 1947, Yokohama, Japan

Charge: Violation of the laws and customs of war: 1. Did willfully and unlawfully mistreat and torture PWs by ordering and permitting subordinates to violate the laws and customs of war (2 specs.) 2. Did willfully and unlawfully disregard and fail to discharge his duty as Camp Commander (2 specs)

Specifications:

Verdict:

Reviewing Authority's Recommendations:

Reviewing Authority:

Prosecution Arguments:

Defense Arguments:

Judge Advocate's Recommendations: Lr. Col. Allan R. Browne writes, "Proper conviction of Saito of criminal responsibility for the varied and widespread pattern of mistreatments pleaded in the 31 specifications of which he was found guilty requires approval of the 25 year sentence and could support a heavier one."

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:

59 reels - Records of Trials and Clemency Petitions for Accused Japanese War Criminals Tried at Yokohama, Japan (1946-1948)
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