JAPAN’S WAR LEADER MAKES FINAL FLEA

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 5

JAPAN’S WAR LEADER MAKES FINAL FLEA

IN.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.] (Rec. 11.25) TOKIO, April 8 Japan’s war-time dictator, General Tojo, to-day iuuju mu uuiu piea tu the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which is trying him and twenty-four other top-ranking Japanese political and military leaders. A seventy thousand word summation of tne evidence was given oy the defence counsel, who said General Tojo would not evade his responsibility as Premier, for his decision for the opening of the Pacific war, but he believed that war was inevitable for Japan’s self defence and seif preservation. The Japanese were honestly convinced that they were acting in legitimate self defence. The wax which was fought by Japan had nothing in common with that of Germany. The Japanese leaders had neither ordered nor knowingly connived at the commission of atrocious acts. No one in Japan had,, planned for war until the autumn 61 1941. when Japan’s hungry population of one hundred million people rebelled against the pressure from the West. ‘General Tojo did not in, any sense, in interrogation, admit that tne Pearl Harbour attacks and other actions taken by the Japanese were crimes under international law, said the summation. When General 'l'ojo admitted that he was administratively responsible, he did not mean that he was cirminally responsible. The so-caned greater East Asia policy, followed by the Japanese cauinets before the war, meant, in reality, the emancipation of the oppressed peoples of East Asia, and the establishment of a sphere ol common sistance and prosperity in the East Asian area.