Interpretation at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal: An Overview and Tojo's Cross-Examination

The International Military Tribunals at Tokyo and Nuremberg were established immediately after the Second World War. Interpreting at the Nuremberg Trial has been described in numerous articles and books and is widely regarded as the origin of simultaneous interpreting. By contrast, historical and political science publications have rarely discussed interpreting at the Tokyo Tribunal, except to criticise its inadequate quality.

Drawing on interviews and trial records, this study first presents an overview of interpreting at the Tokyo Tribunal. It then examines in greater detail the interpretation of the cross-examination of Hideki Tojo, who was tried for his prominent wartime role as Minister of War and prime minister and was sentenced to death by the court.