but the enemy did not attack our island. After all, because of vigourous changes and disadvantages in the war situation, everybody's morale was strained by extreme excitement. Under this pressure the provisions of the defence plan, including the execution of the prisoners, were carried out automatically. It can also be said that faced with a crisis, this action was unavoidable.
- Fifth of the important problems. I believe that a certain lieutenant (both rank and name are not clear) who was shot to death on landing day, is listed on the first part of the report of our prisoner's record. The actual fact of the incident is as follows: The prisoner of war who came at the time of invasion under command of an army officer, was brought under my care temporarily to the island. After having finished the previously mentioned conversation, he went back to the boat. In a little while the above-mentioned army officer came back again from the transport with a certain prisoner of war and said, "After I returned to the boat we captured this prisoner who tried to escape towards SHORTLAND Island by jumping into the sea and swimming across. Since one person was missing on that list, you should put this one on your list". I did not know what to do, so I flatly refused because, if I had accepted we would not have been able to guard the prisoners who may attempt to escape from this small island which was surrounded by water. Because the army officer had to proceed immediately, he requested me to take care of this prisoner. Then I asked him, "In that case, how would the army dispose of him?" He said, "In wartime, in front of the enemy, desertion means death penalty." This was rather sudden, so I believed that desertion in front of the enemy during the war naturally meant the death penalty under naval law. From the standpoint of strict observance of military laws there was no alternative. Without thinking deeply we decided a summary judgement. The execution was carried out by an army guard, who used a pistols in the deserted jungle at the east beach of the island. (I think that the army guard belonged to the personnel of that officer and did not belong to the 15 men who were to guard the prisoners of war.) At first, I thought that I would execute him with a NTHONTO (Japanese sword); however, I became frightened and could not do that. Since then I thought deeply, blaming myself. Thereafter, never again did I want to have that same feeling. Not only did I caution myself severely, but I cautioned my subordinates as well. I warned them strictly against tyrannical behaviour. I feel keenly that it was my responsibility, especially, about that lieutenant.
III Postscript. - In the morning of 19 Jan 46, I was suspected as a war criminal and was arrested. At any rate, I was the central figure of the BALLALE Island airfield construction unit, and that over 500 prisoners died on that island is undeniable. I knew that those facts would incriminate me as the person responsible for them. The reasons that I fled were as follows.
First of all, I thought that it was too early to surrender. Secondly I was only the commander of die construction unit and not of the entire island. Nevertheless, when I discovered that I was the only suspect, I thought that local investigation had not been through. If I had decided to surrender immediately, the entire responsibility would have fallen upon me. Unless I was determined to die for others, I thought that I would have to refer to other persons or that I would have to relate undesirable things when facing a fair trial to clarify the facts. (After JAPAN's defeat, many truths have been disclosed and I lost the to die.) This has been the cause of great agony. In addition, there is that pride among the Japanese to never surrender. Being confused, I only thought of fleeing. However, as the days passed, I started to think that facts about the matter at hand should be known to the investigators or that the investigators were fully informed of the details already, realizing that I could not conceal myself forever. Therefore, I came to believe that the above-mentioned worry was in vain, believing that the matter had been solved. On about 25 July, my friend advised me that concealing myself had even caused trouble to my family, relatives, and friends. Furthermore, I have realized that my conduct was violating the
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