Kobayashi Matsuo [Matsao] and another

035
DATE OF CRIMES
Between July and August 1945
LOCATION OF CRIMES
Nancowry, Nicobar Islands, India
DATE OF TRIAL
20, 21, 22, and 23 May 1946
LOCATION OF TRIAL
Singapore
Case Summary

There were 3 charges tried in this trial against Captain Kobayashi Matsuo and civilian interpreter Fujita Masao.

Regarding the 1st charge, the facts are as follows: 
Captain Kobayashi Matsuo and civilian interpreter Fujita Masao charged the victim, civilian Eliyas Yaqub with being a spy and interrogated him. During the interrogation, Eliyas Yaqub was tied up and beaten with a belt, had a stick pushed into his mouth and later several galons of water poured into it. After surrender the vicim was released. 

Regarding the 2nd and 3rd charge, the facts are as follows: Kobayashi and Fujita discovered the loss of certain Japanese stores and suspected two native civilians, Monge and Tipu. Kobayashi and Fujita then tied them up and beat them and they eventually confessed to the theft. Kobayashi was later charged with the killing of Monge and Tipu, 2 civilian residents of Nancowry, while Fujita was charged with their ill-treatment.

This case showed the difficulties of communication and translation between Japanese and locals during the war: Kobayashi would speak to Fujita in Japanese, Fujita would then convey it to Ukoiny, a local, in Malay, and Ukoiny would then translate the instructions from Malay to Hindustani to the Indian locals.