Sugamo Prison
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Sugamo Prison (Sugamo Kōchi-sho,Kyūjitai:巢鴨拘置所,Shinjitai:巣鴨拘置所) was located in the district of Ikebukuro, which is now part of the Toshima ward of Tokyo, Japan
[edit] History
Sugamo Prison was originally built in the 1920's for political prisoners, using the prisons of Europe as a model. It housed many communists and other dissenters who fell afoul of the Peace Preservation Laws in the 1930 and 1940s.
Undamaged during the bombing of Tokyo during World War II, the American occupation forces took it over during the occupation of Japan to house suspected war criminals as they awaited trial before the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. After the conclusion of the trials, Sugamo Prison was used to incarcerate some of the convicted, and was the site of the execution of those sentenced to death.
The original compound was only 2.43 hectares (approximately 6 acres) in size. The construction of exterior fencing expanded the facility to double the original size. The facility was operated by the United States Army's Eighth Army, although the actual operation of the prison was handled by Japanese personnel. There were approximately 2500 military personnel assigned to duty at the prison, however no more than 500 at any given time. The prison was only in operation by American military forces from December 1945 through May 1952. The structure housed some 2000 Japanese war criminals during its operation.
The prisoners were served Japanese foods, prepared by Japanese personnel and served by the prisoners themselves. There were occasions when former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo was serving food to all the other class "A" prisoners. Some of the vegetables used for these meals was grown within the compound.
After the end of the occupation of Japan, Sugamo Prison passed to Japanese civilian government control. Most of the remaining war criminals were pardoned or paroled by the government. In 1971, the prison was closed due to the age of the facilities.
In 1978, the Sunshine 60 Building, at its completion the tallest skyscraper in Japan, was built on the former site of Sugamo Prison. All that is left to commemorate the prison is a stone on which is engraved "Pray for eternal Peace."
[edit] References
- Ginn, John L. (1992). Sugamo Prison, Tokyo: An Account of the Trial and Sentencing of Japanese War Criminals in 1948, by a U.S. Participant. McFarland & Company. ISBN: 0899507395.
