The true issue in the Ōe trial is whether the Japanese military ordered civilians to commit suicide.
Instead, the narrative politically exploited the situation to extract money, portraying two commanders as villains, a narrative amplified by the Asahi Shimbun.

2016-04-04
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
The issue that should be judged in the Ōe trial.
Having tasted success, the “islanders” sought to exploit the matter more politically and extract even more money, portraying two unit commanders as heinous villains.
Why should it require courage to question this?
From here, he shifts to a general argument, claiming that “the Japanese military routinely told civilians to commit suicide,” and therefore that his own assertion is not mistaken.
Yet the lawsuit questions the truth of whether “two demon-like commanders issued suicide orders.”
Why evade such a simple point?
Why did the Asahi Shimbun publish such a clumsy excuse?
This newspaper has developed its claim that “the Japanese military were demons” based on his falsehoods.
Therefore, if Kenzaburō Ōe falls, the Asahi Shimbun falls with him.
While having him write this column, the Asahi itself began preparing its escape.
A May 14 Kerama report bore the headline, “Die Honorably, the Soldiers Said.”
It appears intended to suggest that the military forced suicides, yet the content contradicts the headline, describing instead how soldiers urged civilians to surrender to U.S. forces so they would not be caught up in the fighting.
This is what is known as “sheep’s head, dog’s meat.”
To be continued.