Sugamo Prison was originally built in 1895, using the prisons of Europe as a model. By the 1930s it became known for housing political prisoners, including many communists and other dissenters who fell foul of the Peace Preservation Laws in the 1930s and 1940s. Alliedspies were also incarcerated there, including Richard Sorge who was hanged in the prison on November 7, 1944. The prison also was used to hold captured Allied officers during World War II as well as airmen.
The original compound was only 2.43 hectares (6.0 acres) in size. The construction of exterior fencing expanded the facility to double the original size. After being captured and re-purposed by Allied forces, the facility was operated by the United States’ Eighth Army. Under the U.S. occupation, Sugamo Prison was administered by 400–500 soldiers.[3] There were approximately 2500 military personnel assigned to duty at the prison, however no more than 500 at any given time. The prison was operated by occupation authorities from December 1945 through May 1952. The structure housed some 2000 Japanese war criminals during its operation.
The prisoners ate Japanese food prepared by Japanese personnel and served by the prisoners themselves. There were occasions when former Prime MinisterHideki Tojo served food to all the other class "A" prisoners. Some of the vegetables used in these meals were grown within the compound. On May 31, 1958, the last 18 Japanese war criminals still serving time in Sugamo Prison were paroled.[4]
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 1962 its function as a prison ended. In 1971 the prison buildings were dismantled.
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, in Japanese, "Pray for Eternal Peace." A water drainage outlet from the prison has been preserved in the park in front of the Tokyo International University Ikebukuro Campus, which stands on part of the former prison grounds.[5]
Notable inmates
Iva Toguri D'Aquino: American-Japanese suspected collaborator known as "Tokyo Rose.” Sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United States for treason, which she served in the United States. Released in 1956, and pardoned in 1977. Died in 2006.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yōsuke Matsuoka: Died in prison in 1946, before he could be brought to trial.
Marshal Admiral Osami Nagano: Died in prison during his trial in 1947.
Vice Minister of MunitionsNobusuke Kishi: Ran plundering of China, planned and ran the war, key deputy to Tojo, Later Prime Minister (LDP) 1957–1960: Released after charges dropped in 1948. Died in 1987.
Matsutarō Shōriki, secretary of the Political Police in Tokyo, later media mogul, LDP politician, Chief of the Information Department of the Interior Ministry: Released in 1948 after charges dropped. Died in 1969.
Lieutenant General Shigeru Sawada: Released in 1950. Died in 1980.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamoru Shigemitsu: Paroled in 1950, and died in 1957.
Lieutenant General Takaji Wachi: Paroled in 1950. Died in 1978.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Shigenori Tōgō: Died in prison in 1950.
Lieutenant General Isamu Yokoyama: Convicted of having command responsibility for vivisection and other human medical experiments performed at the Kyushu Imperial University on downed Allied airmen. Sentenced to death in 1948, but later reprieved. Died in prison in 1952.
Prime Minister Hiranuma Kiichirō: Paroled in 1952, and died a few months later.
Lieutenant General Sadae Inoue: Paroled in 1953. Died in 1961.
Advisor Kōichi Kido: Paroled in 1955, and died in 1977.
Field Marshal Shunroku Hata: Paroled in 1955, and died in 1962.
