This day in History. November 12th
Judges of Tribunal are composed of Allied powers; the above flags indicate the countries of participation: from the left are Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Republic of China, Soviet Union, France and New Zealand
November 12th, 1948, the lengthy International Military Tribunal For Far East was adjourned after seven Japanese military personnel were sentenced to death by hanging for various war crime charges, along with twenty Japanese military and political leaders charged for waging aggressive war, more than five thousand Japanese nationals charged with crimes against humanity. The tribunal was proposed in the document that drafted the clauses for Japanese surrender by Allied powers. However, much disagreements occurred on whom to try and whom not to try. Despite lack of agreements, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers General Douglas MacArthur made the decision and initiated arrests.The trial began on April 29th, 1946.
Notably, Hideki Tojo, the Japanese war time Prime Minister, was charged with many counts of waging war and crime against peace and humanity and was executed by hanging.
This event marks the retribution for the brutal atrocities done by the Japanese military in their invasion and occupation of their war time territories. The Tribunal is recounted in many motion picture projects as a way to grasp and remember this part of the history.
Zach Hauser • Nov 12, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Justice Radhabinod Pal of the Tribunal issued the lone dissenting opinion, arguing that the entire trial was unjust – “victor’s justice”, or a mere “sword in a [judge’s] wig”. I think that’s a necessary coda to this article.