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　Five months passed until Kiichiro was arrested as a war criminal. My father who was demobilized, my mother, sister and I were living with Kiichiro in Nishiokubo. Those days went by very calmly. However, I can say that life there was not always peaceful and calm. When Kiichiro was chosen as an A class war criminal, someone who revered Kiichiro or one who really worried about the future of Japan seriously offered, "Although we lost, we can't endure to have Your Excellency die in enemy hands. I came here with a sword to ask you to kill yourself here with my assistance." We were really embarrassed to deal with those people since they were really worried about Kiichiro and their country. It was always my mother's duty to take care of such a perplexing situation. Mother tried to talk with these people calmly as possible. She said after she ascertained carefully their feelings, "I understand well that you really are worried about the future of Japan and the honor of Kiichiro as well. I imagine Kiichiro may want to die rather than be exposed to public view as a prisoner. But what do you think would happen to the Emperor and the National sovereignty upheld by Kiichiro or to the other people nominated as war criminals because of his suicide at this stage? I would appreciate it if you could reconsider this matter." When she persuaded them in this way, the patriots understood. Soon after that, one of them said, "I understood well what you said. You are right. I was hasty." And they put their swords away and left. Mother really explained Kiichiro's inner mind. Kiichiro was aware that it was his last public duty to go to prison as a war criminal.
　Every time August 15 arrives, I remember Kiichiro's words left for my mother when this thin over 80 year old man was carried off to Sugamo prison. He said, "I will not say anything." He even refused to stand on the witness stand and kept silence completely during the Tokyo War tribunal. Having devoted almost all of his life to the judicial system what must have Kiichiro thought, while he refused to testify during the trail, about the victorious side passes judgment on the defeated.

- Completed -

translation　by Aika Sunami