Inventory of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East records
Finding aid prepared by Alex Park, Theresa Berger
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2016
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: International Military Tribunal for the Far East records
Date (bulk): 1920-1948
Collection Number: 49016
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In English, Japanese, and Chinese
Physical Description:
115 manuscript boxes, 1 envelope, 242 volumes.
(81.5 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Court exhibits, transcripts, summaries of proceedings, summations of counsel, judgments, photographs, and indices relating
to the trial of Japanese military and government officials accused of war crimes during the Second World War.
Creator:
International Military Tribunal for the Far East
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1949.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], International Military Tribunal for the Far East records, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover
Institution Library & Archives.
Historical Note
The International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), also known as the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal or the Tokyo Trials,
lasted from April 29, 1946 to November 12, 1948. Established by special proclamation of the Supreme Commander for the Allied
Powers (SCAP), U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, the IMTFE sought to try Japanese government officials and military leaders
for the incitement and perpetration of World War II and war crimes throughout the conflict.
For more than two years, eleven judges representing the Allied signatories of the Instrument of Surrender, as well as India
and the Philippines, heard cases against twenty-eight defendants, including General Hideki Tojo. From November 4 to 12, 1948,
the tribunal rendered judgments against twenty-five defendants (two defendants died during the trial and one was deemed incompetent
to stand trial). Seven defendants were sentenced to death, sixteen to life imprisonment, one to twenty years' imprisonment,
and one to seven years' imprisonment.
Similar to its German counterpart in Nuremberg, the trial's charges, evidence, defense, and rulings mark the IMTFE as an important
moment in the reshaping of modern international law in the post-World War II period.
Scope and Content Note
Exhibits, evidence, transcripts, indices of the record, and other documents relating to the trial of Japanese officials and
military leaders accused of war crimes during the Second World War. Documents reflect significant contributions to international
law within the contexts of crimes against humanity, wars of aggression, and other relevant subjects.
Arrangement Statement
The collection, consisting of both loose documents and bound volumes, is arranged alphabetically by subject. To request bound
volumes, please note the title of the volume and the volume number, if applicable.
Exhibits, Rejected Defense Documents, and
Rejected Prosecution Documents contain corresponding indices that can be used to identify the documents found in these series. A link to a PDF version of
each corresponding index can be found in a scope and content note at the beginning of these series.
List of Indices in the Hoover Archives Reading Room
1. Dull and Umemura. The Tokyo Trials: A Functional Index (1957). 94 p.
2. Index of Rejected Prosecution Documents (undated). 17 p. (2 copies)
3. Index of Rejected Defense Documents (undated). 44 p.
4. Index of (defense) witnesses, 28 February 1947 - 10 February 1948 (undated). 117 p.
5. Index of (prosecution) witnesses, 17 June - 16 August 1946; 28 August - 29 November 1946 (undated). 13 p. (2 copies)
6. Index of motions, arguments, decisions, objections in open court (undated). 36 p.
7. Supreme Command for the Allied Powers. International Prosecution Section (IPS). Revised index to documents by defendants
(at the Tokyo War Crime Trials). Also, numerical list of IPS documents introduced as court exhibits (1947). 55 p. and 32 p.
8. General Index of the Record of the Prosecution's Case (1947). 101 p.
9. General Index of the Record of the Defense Case (1947). 152 p.
10. Maxon, Yale Candee. Index to documents (by phase and subject) (1947). 20 p.
11. Maxon, Yale Candee. Index to documents not specifically linked to one or more of the defendants (1947). 17 p.
12. Index of Exhibits (undated). 592 p.
Related Collection
International Military Tribunal proceedings, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
World War, 1939-1945 -- Japan
War crime trials -- Japan
Tokyo Trial, Tokyo, Japan, 1946-1948
volume on shelf
Analyses of Documentary Evidence
1946-1948
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of 15 bound volumes containing analyses and descriptions of documents presented by both counsels. Volume 1 includes
a summary of the entire set of volumes as well as an explanation for missing document ranges. Not all documents included in
this series were accepted by the court and presented during the trial. For items that were accepted as evidence, see the Exhibits
series.
volume 1
Documents 1-499
1946, 1948 January 15
volume 11
Documents 2702-3004
1946-1947
volume 15
Documents 4060-4097
1946-1948
volume on shelf
Decisions of Conferences
1947 June 16
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume containing a report by assistant prosecutor Joseph F. English titled "Decisions of Imperial
Conferences, Liaison Conferences, Privy Council Meetings, Cabinet Meetings, Four Ministers' Conferences, Five Ministers' Conferences,
Senior Statesmen's Meetings, Supreme War Plans Council, Joint Conferences and Miscellaneous Conferences, as Found in the Prosecution's
Evidence." The report is a chronological account of various meetings between Japanese government and military officials. The
first section of the report is an index organized by name and lists all meetings attended by each individual. The second section
of the report describes the meetings themselves, as well as resolutions and policies discussed during the meetings.
Defense Documents
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains various documents presented by the defense. Includes complete opening statements on behalf of each defendant and
for the defense team as a whole.
box 114, folder 5
"Comparative Study on Wang-Tao and Pa-Tao" (Defense Doc 3054),
undated
box 114, folder 6
Defense opening statements,
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains opening statements from the defense council framing responses to arguments introduced by the prosecution, including
Japanese aggression in various geographic regions.
box 114, folder 7
Defense opening statements, by defendant name,
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains opening statements on behalf of each defendant except Matsui Iwane and Oka Takazumi.
box 115, folder 1
Defense opening statements, by defendant name,
undated
Scope and Contents
Contains opening statements on behalf of each defendant except Matsui Iwane and Oka Takazumi.
box 115, folder 2
Defense summation on personal responsibility (Defense Doc. 3037)
undated
Exhibits
1889-1947
Scope and Contents note
Contains telegrams, diaries, books, excerpts, maps, treaties, photographs, and other documents presented as evidence by both
councils. Exhibits 1-2282 are documents from the prosecution; exhibits 2283-3915 are documents from the defense.
The exhibits are arranged numerically. See index for document titles. Missing exhibits are noted with either circles on the
left-hand margin of the Index or in a scope and contents note at the appropriate box level of this guide.
box 1
Exhibits 1-22
1899-1947, undated
box 3
Exhibits 53-63
1932-1938, undated
box 4
Exhibits 64-100
1889, 1933-1947, undated
box 5
Exhibits 102-129
1946-1947
box 6
Exhibits 130-163
1897, 1931-1947, undated
box 7
Exhibits 164-193
1927-1947, undated
box 8
Exhibits 194-236
1932-1937
box 9
Exhibits 237-271
1932-1947, undated
box 10
Exhibits 272-314
1931, 1939, 1947, undated
box 11
Exhibits 315-370
1938-1947, undated
box 12
Exhibits 371-415
1934-1947, undated
box 13
Exhibits 416-446
1934-1947
box 14
Exhibits 447-473
1938-1947
box 15
Exhibits 474-497
1937-1939, 1947, undated
box 16
Exhibits 498-548
1939-1940
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 540.
box 17
Exhibits 549-592
1938-1941
box 18
Exhibits 593-630
1932-1947
box 19
Exhibits 631-674
1931, 1937, 1940-1947
box 20
Exhibits 675-710
1931-1945, undated
box 21
Exhibits 711-743
1931-1947
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 722.
box 22
Exhibits 744-793
1931-1947
box 23
Exhibits 794-838
1941-1947
box 24
Exhibits 839-857
1925-1941
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibits 843-848, 858.
box 25
Exhibits 859-881
1931-1942
box 26
Exhibits 882-942
1931-1947, undated
box 27
Exhibits 943-1021
1936-1941
box 28
Exhibits 1022-1076
1938-1941
box 29
Exhibits 1077-1139
1941, 1946
box 30
Exhibits 1140-1209
1940-1941, 1947
box 31
Exhibits 1210-1251
1931-1941, 1947, undated
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 1245-B, contains unlisted Exhibits 1245-L, 1245-M.
box 32
Exhibits 1252-1274
1941-1945, undated
box 33
Exhibits 1275-1326
1938-1945
box 34
Exhibits 1327-1374
1935-1945
box 35
Exhibits 1375-1493
1942-1945
box 36
Exhibits 1494-1564
1942, 1947, undated
box 37
Exhibits 1565-1632
1945-1946
box 38
Exhibits 1633-1686
1942-1946
box 39
Exhibits 1687-1744
1944-1946
box 40
Exhibits 1745-1792
1946, undated
box 41
Exhibits 1793-1840
1945-1946, undated
box 42
Exhibits 1841-1909
1944-1946
box 43
Exhibits 1910-1965
1942-1946
box 44
Exhibits 1966-2016
1942-1946, undated
box 45
Exhibits 2017-2055
1939-1945, undated
box 46
Exhibits 2056-2112
1942-1946
box 47
Exhibits 2113-2174
1942-1946
box 48
Exhibits 2175-2209
1925-1943, undated
box 49
Exhibits 2210-2250
1936-1946
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 2243.
box 50
Exhibits 2251-2315
1895-1925, 1932-1940
box 51
Exhibits 2317-2344
1915-1922, 1939-1947
box 52
Exhibits 2347-2398
1889-1946
box 53
Exhibits 2399-2437
1931-1937, 1946, undated
box 54
Exhibits 2438-2472
1912, 1930-1943, undated
box 55
Exhibits 2473-2506
1913, 1934-1937, undated
box 56
Exhibits 2507-2547
1928-1939, 1946
box 57
Exhibits 2548-2592
1938-1939, 1944-1946, undated
box 58
Exhibits 2593-2647
1860, 1936-1942
box 59
Exhibits 2649-2694
1931-1947
box 60
Exhibits 2695-2729
1911, 1926, 1933-1941, undated
box 61
Exhibits 2730-2771C
1938-1946
box 62
Exhibits 2772A-2832
1931-1941
box 63
Exhibits 2833-2907
1931-1941, 1946, undated
box 64
Exhibits 2908-2975A
1941, 1945-1946
box 65
Exhibits 2976-3011
1923, 1940-1946
box 66
Exhibits 3012A-3057
1903, 1931-1946, undated
box 67
Exhibits 3058-3103
1941-1947, undated
box 68
Exhibits 3104-3145
1942-1945, undated
box 69
Exhibits 3146-3189
1932-1937, 1946, undated
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 3160.
box 70
Exhibits 3190-3241
1893, 1929-1938, 1943-1946
box 71
Exhibits 3242-3301
1934-1938, 1941
box 72
Exhibits 3302-3339A
1939-1946
box 73
Exhibits 3340-3346
1938, 1946
box 74
Exhibits 3347-3391
1898, 1931-1946, undated
box 75
Exhibits 3392-3439
1931-1947
Scope and Contents note
Missing Exhibit 3440.
box 76
Exhibits 3441-3479
1927, 1931-1942, undated
box 77
Exhibits 3480-3529
1892, 1935-1947
box 78
Exhibits 3530-3575
1931-1947
box 79
Exhibits 3576-3609A
1898, 1933-1939, undated
box 80
Exhibits 3610-3651
1932-1941, 1947
box 81
Exhibits 3652-3665
1939-1942, undated
box 82
Exhibits 3666-3709
1919-1947
box 83
Exhibits 3710-3714 (A28)
undated
box 84
Exhibits 3714 (A29)-3748
1931-1942
box 85
Exhibits 3749-3839
1919-1920, 1937-1946
box 86
Exhibits 3840-3893
1933-1948, undated
box 87
Exhibits 3894-3915
1943-1945, undated
Judgments, Opinions, and Verdicts
1948, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes official judgement of the tribunal, as well as individual and dissenting opinions from the justices.
volume on shelf
Judgments
1948 November 4-12
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of six bound volumes. Contains the full text and transcript of the tribunal judgment, organized chronologically.
volume on shelf
Annexes
1948 November
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume. Annex of documents and treaties cited directly or indirectly in the tribunal judgment.
volume on shelf
Judgment of Henri Bernald [Bernard]
1948 November 12
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume. Dissenting opinion from Judge Henri Bernard, the French representative to the bench.
volume on shelf
Judgment of Justice Pal
undated
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of three bound volumes. Dissenting opinion from Radhabinod Pal, the Indian representative to the bench.
volume on shelf
Opinion of Justice Jaranilla
1948 November 1
Scope and Contents notes
Comprised of one bound volume. Dissenting opinion from Delfin Jaranilla, the Filipino representative to the bench.
volume on shelf
Opinion of Justice Röling
1948 November 12
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume. Dissenting opinion from Bert Röling, the Dutch representative to the bench.
volume on shelf
Separate Opinion of the President
1948 November 1
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume. Dissenting opinion from William Webb, the Tribunal President and Australian representative
to the bench.
box 115, folder 5
"Summary of the Final Judgment. International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Press Release. Summary No. 1,"
undated
box 115, folder 6
"Verdict Pronounced by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East on the 25 Japanese War Crimes Suspects on Nov
12, 1948 (Excerpt),"
1948 November 12
volume on shelf
Narrative Summary of the Records
1946 June 14 - 1948 February 10
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of 16 bound volumes organized by date. Contains a full summary of the trial proceedings, with an emphasis on the
introduction of exhibits, witness testimonies, and cross-examinations. Events or documents referenced in this summary include
a parenthetical citation noting their location in the full trial record (Proceedings).
volume 6
December 12-1947 January 15
volume 16
December 17-1948 February 10
Proceedings
1946-1948, undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains the full transcript and record of the trial proceedings. An abridged descriptive summary, with significant trial
events such as documents introduced and motions made, can be found in the Narrative Summary of the Records. Documents in this
series include cross-references to documents located in the Narrative Summary of the Records.
box 87, folder 11-12
Proceedings and pleadings
1946-1948
undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes a docket and chronology.
box 88
Proceedings and pleadings
1946-1948
undated
Scope and Contents
Includes a docket and chronology.
box 89
Proceedings in chambers
1946 May 4 - 1948 April 30
box 90, folder 1-3
Proceedings in chambers
1946 May 4 - 1948 April 30
box 90, folder 4
Proceedings in conference room
1946 July 1-16
volume on shelf
Proceedings in courtroom
1946 April 22 - 1948 November 12
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of 166 bound volumes organized by date. To request materials, indicate the date or dates you would like to see,
and the corresponding volumes will be retrieved. Please note, gaps exist in the date range which represent days that the tribunal
did not meet.
box 90, folder 5
Unnumbered proceedings and pleadings
undated
Prosecution Documents
1938, 1946, 1947
Scope and Contents note
Contains various documents presented by the prosecution.
box 115, folder 3
Prosecution documents 1685C, 2075, 2152
1938
1946
box 115, folder 4
Psychiatric examination of Okawa, Shumei
1947 January 30
March 13
Rejected Defense Documents
1896-1947, undated
Scope and Contents note
Documents are arranged numerically. See index for document titles.
box 90, folder 6-11
Documents 54-70
1935-1941, undated
box 91
Documents 77-199
1905, 1924-1943, undated
box 92
Documents 202-262
1898-1919, 1926-1945, undated
box 93
Documents 267-426
1896-1947, undated
box 94
Documents 428-626
1924-1947
box 95
Documents 629-919
1925-1947, undated
box 96
Documents 953-1035
1931-1947, undated
box 97
Documents 1066-1213
1932-1947, undated
box 98
Documents 1223-1444
1901, 1937-1945, undated
box 99
Documents 1447-1660
1935-1947, undated
box 100
Documents 1664-1885
1920-1946, undated
box 101
Documents 1895-1961
1929-1947, undated
box 102
Documents 1964-2251
1921-1946, undated
box 103
Documents 2253-2525
1931-1946, undated
box 104
Documents 2528-2871
1931-1947, undated
box 105, folder 1-27
Documents 2876-3088
1932-1948, undated
box 111, folder 11-12
Duplicate rejected defense documents
1898-1947, undated
box 114, folder 1-4
Duplicate rejected defense documents
1898-1947, undated
box 112
Duplicate rejected defense documents
1898-1947, undated
box 113
Duplicate rejected defense documents
1898-1947, undated
Rejected Prosecution Documents
1904-1947
Scope and Contents note
Documents arranged numerically. See index for document titles.
box 105, folder 28-37
Documents 15-465
1933-1941, undated
box 106
Documents 472-1204F
1926-1945, undated
box 107
Documents 1217-1634
1928-1946, undated
box 108
Documents 1676-2534
1931-1946, undated
box 109
Documents 2542-3332
1904, 1921-1947, undated
box 110
Documents 3334-6910
1934-1946, undated
box 111, folder 1-10
Documents 6911-9563
1941-1946, undated
volume on shelf
Summation for the Defense
circa 1948
Scope and Contents note
Contains the final review of the defense. Comprised of 24 bound volumes, organized by subject.
Volume 1
Scope and Contents note
Analyses of the trial within the scope of international law. Contains defense documents 3054, 2987, 3098, 3097 and 3094.
Volume 2
Scope and Contents note
Discusses Japanese foreign relations with Manchuria, China, Russia, Germany, and Italy. Contains defense documents 3071, 3034,
3099, and 3104.
Volume 3
Scope and Contents note
Summarizes the defense's case regarding Japanese military aggression. The bulk of this volume is comprised of a section titled
"Japan Was Provoked into a War of Self-Defense." Contains defense documents 3095, 3100, 3102, and 3093.
Summations of defendants
circa 1948
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of 19 bound volumes, organized by defendant's last name. Some volumes contain summations for multiple defendants.
Dohihara [Doihara], Kenji
Hiranuma, Kiichirō and Hoshino, Naoki
Kimura, Heitaro and Koiso, Kuniaki
Mutō, Akira and Minami, Jirō
Satō, Kenryō; Matsui, Iwane; and Oka, Takazumi
Shigemitsu, Mamoru and Shimada, Shigetarō
Suzuki, Teiichi and Umezu, Yoshijirō
Tōgō, Shigenori, 2 volumes
POW [Prisoner of War] Summation
circa 1948
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume. Contains the defense's response to the prosecution's charges of Japanese military aggression
and mistreatment of POWs. Includes excerpts from and references to witness testimonies.
Reply of Prosecution to Defense Summation
circa 1948
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of one bound volume divided into three sections: the USSR, China, and other topics, including the defense team's
case regarding provocation and self-defense within the context of international law.
volume on shelf
Summation of the Prosecution
circa 1948
Scope and Contents note
Comprised of six bound volumes. Contains sections titled "Japanese Aggression in Manchuria, Russia and against the Western
Powers" and "Crimes Against Peace," as well as summaries of the prosecution's case against each defendant. Volume 1 includes
a table of contents.
box 115, folder 7
Photographs
1945 October
Scope and Contents note
Contains four prints depicting activities of the IMTFE in Japan, including photos of the trial and seated defendants.
box 115, folder 8
Miscellaneous
undated
Scope and Contents note
Contains a number of unidentifiable loose documents, including possible excerpts from judges' opinions.