JAPANESE WAR CRIMINALS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28537, 17 March 1958, Page 11

JAPANESE WAR CRIMINALS

Life Sentences To Be Reduced (Rec. 8 p.rn.T WASHINGTON, March 14. The United States and its wartime Pacific allies have “informally agreed” to reduce the life sentences of 10 major Japanese war criminals, the United Press reported tonight. The reduction in their sentences will restore to the 10 men their civil rights and permit them to seek public office if they wish. United States officials said the United States would inform the Japanese Government that the nine countries which were represented on the International War Crimes Tribunal in Tokyo had no objection to reducing the sentences to time already served. All 10 now are free on parole. Japan asked the United States several weeks ago to put the question up to the eight other member countries of the tribunal— Britain, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand; Canada, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The Japanese asked for an "informal decision” so they could avoid the embarrassment of having a formal request turned down if the response was negative. , J The United States now will advise Tokyo that the way is clear for Japan to make formal requests to the individual countries I concerned, the United Press said.