Page 173 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

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63. Torture, the infliction of physical suffering, must be sustained and continued in such a
way that there shall be no other way of relief from suffering except by giving truthful
information.

Torture is advantageous because of the speed with which it is possible with relative ease to
compel persons of weak will to give truthful testimony, but there is the danger that, in order
to relieve himself from suffering, or in order to please the interrogator, the person
interrogated will, on the contrary, distort the truth.

In the case of persons of strong will, torture may strengthen their will to resist and leave ill-
feeling against the empire after the interrogation.

64. In relation to persons of weak will, torture is usually applied in those cases when the
person interrogated does not speak the truth even in the face of evidence, but there is full
reason to suppose that this person will speak frankly if torture is applied.

65. It is necessary to bear in mind that the methods of torture must be such as can be easily
applied, as will sustain suffering without rousing feelings of pity, and as will not leave either
wounds or scars. However, in those cases when it is necessary to create apprehension of
death, the harm caused the person interrogated can be ignored, but this must be done in such
a way as not to make it impossible to continue the interrogation.

The following examples of torture may be given:

1. Compelling the person to sit up straight and motionless.

2. Putting pencils between the fingers not far from their bases and tying the tops of the
fingers with string and moving them.

3. Putting the person interrogated on his back (it is advisable to raise the feet a little) and
dripping water into the nose and mouth simultaneously.

4. Putting the interrogated person on his side and stamp on his ankle.

5. Compelling the interrogated person to stand under a shelf that is too low to enable him
to stand straight.

66. In a case when a wound is accidentally inflicted on the person interrogated, it is
necessary, taking into account the general situation and the interests of our country, to take
resolute measures, taking full responsibility for same.

67. On receiving testimony as a result of applying torture, it must be ascertained whether
this testimony is the result of a desire to avoid further suffering and to please the interrogator;
in such cases, some corroboration of the truth of the testimony is necessary.

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