Occupied City

Author’s Note

Hirasawa Sadamichi was convicted of the Teikoku Bank murders,

attempted murders and robbery on 24 July 1950,

and sentenced to death.

Despite the dedication and efforts of the Society to Save Hirasawa,

Hirasawa died in Hachiōji Prison on 10 May 1987.

Hirasawa was ninety-five years old.

The appeals and the campaign to clear Hirasawa’s name,

posthumously, continue to this day.

At the time of writing, the nineteenth request for a retrial,

which was filed on 10 May 1989,

is still being examined by the Tokyo High Court.

David Peace, Tokyo, 2008

The Year of the Rat