Page 69 - MaterialsTrial-JapaneseArmy-1950

Question: Precisely, when did the Kwantung Army Headquarters receive the order from
the Japanese Deputy Minister for War to increase the production of bacteriological weapons?

Answer: As far as I remember, that order was received in March 1945. . . .

. . . Question: What changes took place during the period you occupied the post of
Commander-in-Chief of the Kwantung Army in devising means and methods of employing
bacteriological weapons?

Answer: As I have said already, the chief methods of employing bacteriological weapons
had been put into commission in the Kwantung Army and sanctioned by the Japnese General
Staff before I took up the post of Commanderin-Chief, and in this respect, no changes took
place while I was in Command. I, too, approved these methods and they remained in force.
While I was in the Kwantung Army, however, work was conducted to improve the methods
of employing one or another type of bacteriological weapon. This work was conducted by
Detachment 731 and by Detachment 100. In particular, while I was in command, the method
of using plague-infected fleas by spraying them from aircraft with the aid of special
appliances and by dropping bombs was finally perfected. Concerning this method, General
Kitano submitted a special report to me.

Question: What decision did you adopt on Ishii's report on the bacteria bomb?

Answer: The decision on Ishii's report on the employment of special bacteria bombs was
taken by my predecessor, General Umezu. After reading Ishii's report I, too, approved this
method. No further special sanction on this question was required.

... In October or November 1944, General Kitano submitted to me a detailed report on the
results of experiments in employing plague-infected fleas as a means of bacteriological
warfare. Kitano's report was accompanied by a special cinema film brought from Detachment
731, and also by maps showing the places where experiments had been made in spraying
plague-infected fleas from aircraft. Kitano's report generalized all the experiments and
researches that had been made in this direction and summed up all the work. While reporting,
he exhibited various tables demonstrating the results of the researches and tests in infecting
territory with plague germs. Being of the opinion that the plagueinfected flea method was
extremely effective, I approved Kitano's report and the method of employing bacteriological
weapons that he proposed.

The results of the experiments in using plague-infected fleas were communicated to the
Imperial Headquarters direct by the commander of Detachment 731 and did not go through
the Kwantung Army Headquarters.

Question: Previously you stated that all decisions on questions concerning devising and
producing bacteriological weapons were endorsed by the Commander-in-Chief after these
questions had been examined by a temporary commission, and that they were submitted to
the General Staff and the Japanese Ministry for War by the Kwantung Army Headquarters.
Which is the correct version?

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