Page 188 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

Question: You confirm that the chief function of the 4th Division was to cultivate lethal
germs on a mass scale for purposes of bacteriological warfare?

Answer: That is true.

Question: Where were Detachment 731 's branches located?

Answer: These branches were located in the immediate vicinity of the Soviet-Manchurian
border. I shall enumerate them from east to west: first of all, Linkow, then Hailin Station,
then the towns of Sunyu and Hailar.

Question: Why were all the detachment's branches stationed near the border of the
U.S.S.R.?

Answer: These branches were to serve as support bases in the event of bacteriological
warfare against the Soviet Union, and that is why they were stationed in the immediate
vicinity of the Soviet border.

Question: What direction did the activities of the detachment take after Germany began
war on the Soviet Union?

Answer: In the summer of 1941 the Chief of the detachment, Ishii, called a conference of
all the chiefs of divisions and informed us that an instruction had been received from the
Chief of Staff of the Japanese Army, the substance of which was as follows: Detachment 731
had done good work in preparation for bacteriological warfare, and, in particular, in the
breeding of plague fleas on a mass scale. Plague fleas were of great operational and
strategical interest, and it was therefore instructed that research work in this field should be
intensified. The Chief of the detachment pointed out that one of the detachment's weakest
points was its inadequate facilities for breeding fleas on a mass scale, and that all attention
must be focussed on the mass production of fleas.

Question: Ishii said that these were the direct instructions of the General Staff?

Answer: Yes, that is so.

Question: Let us now pass to special questions. How long were you Chief of the 4th
Division?

Answer: Two years.

Question: You are therefore well acquainted with the special equipment and production
capacity of the 4th Division?

Answer: I am.

188