Ryoichi Totsuka, Lieutenant Colonel.
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Graduate of Military Academy of Japan.
Died in Manila by the death punishment on March 31, 1947, at the age of 49 years old.


Note

I was imposed the death penalty. The US court sentenced me to death by war crime. I have committed neither any act of tort, murder of any non combatant, nor any shameless act. I was charged war crime because we lost the war. The court under the US is formal in style but not completely appropriate and fair at all. I believe that people in the world will know it someday, how much the war criminals here felt chagrined and sad at their death. I will not be killed. Your father dedicated the 30 years of life to Japan. Tens of thousands of youth have been dead already. The fear is not here. I am not afraid of death. The death is the fate no one can avoid.

Only one thing hurts me. I have to leave you as the family of war criminal. Because of that, you will be suffered in your life mentally and economically. I cannot help thinking about the life of yours, but there is nothing I can help right now. Japan is also facing the difficult going after the war. I believe you will defuse the hardship by the help of God and the efforts you make. Despite of the hardship. I hope you will overcome your grief and loss and breakthrough the situation with your strong courageousness to make your future.

The war has been discussed in the parliament. Discussions or opinions are on-going in Japan. Please believe yourself and go your own way for the future by overcoming the reputations and rumors. Surely Japan will re-build herself someday soon, so will our Totsuka family.

Kazuhiko (son), Yoshihiko (son), please try and work together to help your mother for the sake of Japan's reconstruction and re-building of totsuka family's fortunes. Your father will always protect you from underground. And someday, I will be waiting for you there until your natural death after you accoumplish your effort. Three of you, I wish your healthiness.

Lay down my pen, praying for Japan's reconstruction and for you.

From your father

To
Sadako (wife)
Kazuaki (son)
Yoshihiko (son)