"Seven men finally became gods" - Mamoru Shigemitsu's lamentation witnessing the execution of Hideki Tojo and others. "Zoku Sugamo Nikki," following the previous work, published in an easy-to-read new edition.

The reality of the "trial" that only those involved can write

How accurately have we understood the Tokyo Trials since the end of the war?

The author of this book, Mamoru Shigemitsu, was a politician who served as Foreign Minister four times and signed the instrument of surrender. Despite being a person who consistently opposed the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States, he was designated an A-class war criminal at the strong demand of the Soviet Union and sentenced to seven years in prison. This book is his prison diary, written over approximately two years from the day after his sentencing until his provisional release.

Execution of comrades, meetings with family, and poetry

In December 1948, seven men, including Hideki Tojo, were executed by hanging.

This book, "Zoku Sugamo Nikki," meticulously records the tension that permeated the Sugamo prison before and after the executions, the news of the executions reported in the newspapers, and Shigemitsu's own anger and sorrow. Mourning their deaths, Shigemitsu wrote in a Chinese poem, "Seven men finally became gods."

However, the executions of B and C-class "war criminals" continued thereafter.

The air of impending execution, the silence of the prison, the figures of those heading to the gallows.

Shigemitsu recorded these with a calm yet poignant pen.

"Murder is still openly committed between enemies and allies by an organization called a military tribunal." "The slaughter after the war is blasphemy against God." -- Shigemitsu's words still resonate heavily, eighty years later.

However, this book is not just a book of accusation.

The sense of solidarity among "war criminal" comrades who shared joys and sorrows. The exchange of Chinese poems with fellow poets. The words exchanged with his growing child through a screen door. The provisional release that would eventually come, and the sight of his home after five years—

Even in harsh circumstances, the dignity of a human being and a heart that cared for his country were portrayed in a plain, unadorned style. The many Chinese poems written in prison hold the spirit of a patriot and the poignant feelings for family and homeland.

Not just an accusation, but the eye of a diplomatic expert

This book is not merely a book of accusation because Shigemitsu was a first-class diplomat. Shigemitsu did not simply sink into grief and indignation; he continuously considered the future of defeated Japan, looking ahead to the intensification of the Cold War, the communization of mainland China, the outbreak of the Korean War, and the path to peace. It also records the voices of support for Shigemitsu from American and British dignitaries such as former Ambassador to Japan, General Douglas MacArthur, providing a three-dimensional account of international relations at the time.

After his provisional release, Shigemitsu, as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the Ichiro Hatoyama cabinet, achieved Japan's admission to the United Nations. The prison records in this book bridge the gap between his signing of the instrument of surrender and his acceptance speech for UN membership, a fate of remarkable coincidence.

Commentary by Shingo Yamagami questions Japan's stance today

Shingo Yamagami, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Australia, wrote the commentary at the end of the book. Drawing on his extensive experience as a diplomat, Yamagami discusses the legal and political absurdities of the Tokyo Trials and delves into the historical recognition issues facing modern Japan.

Yamagami also frankly poses questions to his respected senior colleague, ensuring the commentary is not merely praise for the book. It is a commentary that should be read by those who wish to consider history from multiple perspectives.

A new edition pursuing readability

This edition has been revised from old characters and modern Japanese orthography, the font size has been increased compared to the original, and furigana have been added to difficult-to-read words, with annotations for obscure terms. It also includes photographs not found in the original and modern Japanese translations of the Chinese poems written in prison. While a historical document, it is a book that modern readers can read without stress.

For everyone who seeks to face history with sincerity. This book should be the starting point.

[Author Information]

Mamoru Shigemitsu

Born in Oita Prefecture in 1887. Graduated from the Law Department of Imperial University of Tokyo. Entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as Consul General in Shanghai and Minister Plenipotentiary to China. Shortly after successfully negotiating the Shanghai Armistice Agreement, he lost his right leg in the Shanghai Longhua Temple bombing. He subsequently served as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador to the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and China, and as Foreign Minister in the Tojo, Koiso, and Higashikuni cabinets. At the end of the war, he signed the instrument of surrender on the battleship Missouri as the plenipotentiary of the Japanese government. Although he opposed the Tripartite Pact and the outbreak of war between Japan and the United States, he was designated an A-class war criminal at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East due to Soviet interference and was sentenced to seven years in prison. After returning to politics, he served as President of the Progressive Party and Vice President of the Japan Democratic Party, and as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the Hatoyama cabinet, he worked to achieve Japan's admission to the United Nations. Died in 1957 at the age of 69.

[Book Information]

Title: Zoku Sugamo Nikki

Author: Mamoru Shigemitsu

Specifications: A5 size, paperback, 256 pages

ISBN: 978-4-8024-0261-3

Release Date: 2026.07.09

Price: 1800 yen (excluding tax)

Publisher: Heart Publishing

Product URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4802402619/