Writings From Class-A War Criminal Hideki Tojo Reveal No Remorse

Newly disclosed prison memos and letters written by Hideki Tojo, the Class-A war criminal who served as Japan's prime minister during the Pacific War, have come to light.

The Tokyo Shimbun reported that 300 items, including handwritten notes and letters by Tojo, were donated to the National Diet Library of Japan by his relatives.

Among the donated materials is a memo-style journal titled "As My Mind Pleases," in which he described Japan's defeat as the "fate of the nation," but contained no self-reflection or regret for the atrocities committed by Japanese imperialism.

Instead, he showed a complete lack of remorse until the end, writing that the cross-examination by prosecutors at the Tokyo Trials would be an opportunity to shout for justice.

The documents also included criticisms of individuals who cooperated with the Allied forces during the trial process, describing their actions as an "attitude of currying favor by converting to Christianity."

The diary was written between January 2 and February 14, 1948, during the latter half of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East conducted by the Allies.

Previously released trial records already showed Tojo spouting sophistry that the war was an unavoidable choice for self-defense.

The newly released materials carry significance as they reaffirm that he showed no remorse to the very end, not only in official trial proceedings but also in his personal writings.

Hideki Tojo and other Class-A war criminals were enshrined in 1978 at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, often called a sanctuary for militarists, where they are revered as deities by ultra-right-wing figures.

Japan restored its status as an independent nation on the premise of accepting the Tokyo Trials, yet movements denying the trials constantly emerge from ultra-right-wing political circles.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has visited Yasukuni Shrine prior to taking office as prime minister and stated during the Liberal Democratic Party leadership election that she would visit Yasukuni upon assuming office, is drawing attention to whether she will personally visit the shrine on August 15, the anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.