14 Feb. 1946 A. I do not believe he had anything to do with it. (Interpreter: General OSHIMA indicates that he desires to say something about the German-Japanese Society if you desire to hear it.) Q. You may make your statement. A. I want to point out that this German-Japanese Society was strictly a social organization and had nothing whatsoever to do with propagandizing or political matters. I would like to have you examine the set-up of this society in order to see the truth of my words. Q. The other day when I asked you who outside of the Military in Japan wanted you named as Ambassador to Germany you stated that you believed Mr. Godo, Takuo, wanted your appointment, but you said you had not heard it from the man himself. Will you tell us now who Mr. Godo is and when and where you have ever met him? A. He was connected with steel works in Manchuria and when he came to Germany to buy military equipment I met him, as the Army was also interested in purchasing the same sort of equipment. Q. You know, do you not, General, that he was a Director of the South Manchurian Railway Company? A. I do not believe he had any connection with the South Manchurian Railway. He was Managing Director of the Showa Steel Works, I think. Q. I have read in a book “Who’s Who in Japan” that Godo was Director of the South Manchurian Railway Company also he was president of the Showa Steel Works, and the latter in 1929. You do not mean to suggest that he had no connection with the South Manchurian Railway, do you? A. He held many positions prior to the time I knew him, and he might have been Director of the South Manchurian Railway for all I know. In addition he has held such positions as Director of the Sasebo Naval Arsenal and later he was Minister of Commerce and Industry. Q. You know of course, that he was very much interested in Manchuria and its development. A. Naturally. Q. He was in Germany, was he not in November 1937, and remained there for several months as a non-official envoy from your Government to represent Japan’s side in a discussion of the Chinese incident? 2 A. That is true; he was called something like the People’s Representative, and while he had no official capacity, was interested in what you mentioned. However, what he actually accomplished I do not know. Q. While he was there for that purpose you had some conversations with him, did you not? A. Yes. Q. And in those conversations did you not talk about such matters as being able to obtain German technical assistance, materials, etc., to be used for the further development of industries in Manchuria? A. No. 2 This would be the Invasion of China. 79