American forces, alongside Filipino guerrilla fighters, initiated an assault to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation in  February 1945. The ensuing three weeks of fierce combat led to significant destruction in Manila, resulting in approximately 100,000 Filipino civilian casualties.
The Japanese military, under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita, committed horrific war crimes against Manila civilians, American prisoners of war, and Filipino fighters. The Japanese military targeted soldiers and noncombatants, including women, children, and older Filipinos. Manila bore witness to widespread sexual violence; countless women were raped and executed.
Following Japan’s surrender in August 1945, American General Douglas MacArthur established the Philippine War Crimes Commission to hold Japanese military leaders accountable for their actions. Yamashita was charged with war crimes.
No evidence existed that the Japanese general gave any orders to massacre civilians, nor did any evidence suggest that he knew atrocities were committed, prompting Yamashita to say, “How can I be convicted of crimes I didn’t even know about?”
Given the enormity and brutality of the crimes, many believed that—whether or not Yamashita ordered the atrocities—he should be held accountable for the actions of his troops.
Trial Materials:
Yamashita’s trial simulation includes 20 witnesses representing Filipino survivors, Filipino collaborators, Japanese soldiers and officers, Catholic Priests, U. S. military personnel, and General Yamashita. Three exhibits are also included to be presented at trial. 
The simulation includes roles for two prosecutors, two defense attorneys, and a judge (played by the teacher). Every student in the class will have a role as a witness, defendant, attorney, or juror. All witnesses are real historical figures who will testify to actual historical events.
The trial resources include a teacher’s guide explaining the historical significance of the trial, along with student background information on the historical context, time period, and circumstances in which the case is situated. Students are also provided with key terms, a timeline of significant events, and role sheets that give each student specific information their character can testify to.  
Additional materials include information on the trial’s aftermath, discussion questions, and guidelines for effective student attorneys, witnesses, and jurors. Rubrics are also included to assess attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.