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Iwane Matsui is a general at Japanese army, kind hearted man who cares about Chinese people and a dog lover. He was Japanese leader at Nanking battle. He has known Chiang kai-shek for years even before Chiang's Republic of China in Nanking was first recognized by the US. On 8th December 1937, Five days before Nanking battle 13th, Chiang fled away, and didn't bother to talk to Iwane who later sent the ultimatum to Tang in Nanking.
(Below) it says “General Matsui's Triumphant Return and His Beloved Dogs”
(Below) NichiNichi Newspaper 1937/12/8. Commander Matsui's residence in Tokyo's Omori Ward, his wife Fumiko (文子), and their two dogs: Mika the German Shepherd and Yuriko the Maltese. Having no children of their own, they cherish these two dogs as if they were their own children.
¶ Matsui's order to protect Chinese
These are evidences Matsui have ordered to protect Chinese citizens at 2nd Sino-Japanese war, and even right before Nanking battle.
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訓令 一、衛生ニ注意セヨ 二、軍紀風紀を厳正ニセヨ 三、民衆ヲ保護セヨ (English translation above) Directives 1. Pay attention to hygiene. 2. Maintain strict military discipline and conduct. 3. Protect the people. |
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https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/meta/C11111832200 「陣中日誌 自昭和１２年１２月１日至昭和１２年１２月３１日 歩兵第１５７連隊第２大隊本部（１）」JACAR（アジア歴史資料センター）Ref.C11111832200、歩兵第１５７連隊 第２大隊 陣中日誌 昭和１２年９月２日～１３年３月３１日（防衛省防衛研究所） “Field Diary: December 1, 1937 to December 31, 1937, Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment (1)” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records) Ref. C11111832200, Field Diary of the 2nd Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, September 2, 1937 - March 31, 1938 (National Institute for Defense Studies, Ministry of Defense)  |
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民衆ハ固ヨリ、既ニ抵抗ノ意ヲ喪ヒタル敵軍ニ對シテハ、寛容之ヲ遇シ克ク全軍ノ軍紀風紀ヲ振粛シ、皇軍一過支那軍民ヲシテ、敬仰歸服セシムルノ概アルヲ要ス 昭和十二年十二月一日 中支部方面 軍司令官 松井石根 (English translation above) The populace, and indeed the enemy forces who have already lost the will to resist, shall be treated with leniency. We must rigorously enforce military discipline and conduct throughout the entire army, so that the Imperial Army may cause the Chinese military and civilians to revere and submit to us. December 1, 1937 Commander-in-Chief, Central Area Command Matsui Iwane |
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https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/10281166  |
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九、其他、各地で制札を立て、住民の保護、掠奪の禁止等を司令しました。これは総じて松井大将の意図を奉して行ったものであります。 (English translation above) 9. Furthermore, we erected notices in various locations, ordering the protection of residents and the prohibition of looting. This was carried out in accordance with General Matsui's intentions. |
¶ Matsui's words about Nanking massacre
He denied the alleged Nanking Massacre. He said although he was reported some crimes like looting, he never heard of such the organized massacre.
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『証言による南京戦史10』6/6 『Nanjing War History Based on Testimony 10』 6/6  南京虐殺・暴行の証言に対する抗議 松井石根 「また、我軍の南京入城直後における掠奪行為に対しては、特になる関査を行い、つとめてこれを賠償返還せしむるの方途を講じたり。特に英・米・仏その他列国官民に対する賠償に関しては、わが外交官憲を介して、つとめて友誼的に本件の善処をはかりたり。しかし、戦場内にある列国人の財産及び利権の若干が、自然に戦禍の累をうけたることは、己むなき次第と云わざるを得ず。」 「なお終戦後、暫くして、南京において一般人、俘虜、婦女子等に対し、組戦的な大規模の虐殺・暴行事件がありたるやに、米国内で放送しありとの情報を聞き、予は驚き、旧部下をして、調査せしめたるも、左様な噂は全く虚妄にして、予の在任中はもとより、帰還後、終戦に至るまで、かくのごとき報告及び情報に接せず、上海における列国新聞通信員との屢次にわたる会見においても、これを耳にず、全くの誣妄なることを付言す。」 (English translation above) Protest Against Testimony on the Nanking Massacre and Atrocities by Matsui Iwane "Moreover, regarding the looting that occurred immediately after our forces entered Nanking, we conducted special investigations and made every effort to devise ways to secure compensation and restitution. Particularly concerning compensation to British, American, French, and other foreign governments and citizens, we endeavored through our diplomatic channels to resolve this matter amicably. However, it must be acknowledged that some property and interests of foreign nationals within the battlefield inevitably suffered collateral damage from the ravages of war." "Furthermore, some time after the war's end, I heard reports broadcast within the United States alleging that organized, large-scale massacres and atrocities had been committed in Nanjing against civilians, prisoners of war, women, and children. I was shocked and I had my former subordinates investigate. They confirmed such rumors were entirely false. During my tenure, and indeed from my return until the end of the war, I received no such reports or information. In numerous meetings with foreign press correspondents in Shanghai, I never heard of such incidents. I state unequivocally that these are pure fabrications." |
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弁護側文書第2667号: 宣誓供述書/ 中澤三夫 (文書名: GHQ/SCAP Records, International Prosecution Section = 連合国最高司令官総司令部国際検察局文書 Entry No.331 Documents Presented as Evidence as Evidence by the Defense before the IMTFE, 1945-47) https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/11920632/1/7  南京に於ける、日本軍の掠奪事実は、憲兵から少数の報告を受けたが、組織的、集団的な事実は全く聞知しない。勿論、司令部として、かかる不法行為を命令し黙認し許容した事実は全くない。 (English translation above) Regarding the looting by Japanese forces in Nanking, we received a few reports from military police, but we have no knowledge whatsoever of any organized or collective incidents. Naturally, as the command headquarters, we absolutely did not order, tacitly approve, or permit such illegal acts. |