Keenan Opening Statement printed in Tokyo News

Keenan Opening Statement printed in Tokyo News

Date 12 February 1948
Language EN; JA
Collection Tavenner Papers & IMTFE Official Records
Box Box 6
Folder General Reports and Memoranda from February 1948
Repository University of Virginia Law Library
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Copy of article from the Asahi Shimbun of February 12, 1948 regarding the Joseph B. Keenan's opening statements to start the final arguments for the prosecution. Gives a brief background of the trial, accusations made against defendants, legal precedence, and important points made by Keenan during his statement regarding Japan's militaristic actions. The article then goes in to a lengthy discussion regarding Keenan's point that "the responsibility for the militaristic actions of Japan lies with their leaders and not the people." Discusses the Manchurian incident, conditions for the people throughout the war, and the future of Japan. Quotes from Keenan's statement "The Powers of the World did not intend merely to drive out irresponsible militarism from Japan but to drive it out of the whole world. This lengthy trial is intended to be something more than a trial of individuals, a warning to the rest of the world."