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Japan's Mitsubishi to make prisoners of war apology Japan's Mitsubishi makes prisoners of war apology
(about 13 hours later)
The Mitsubishi corporation is to make a landmark apology for using American prisoners of war (POWs) as forced labour during World War Two. Japan's Mitsubishi corporation has made a landmark apology for using US prisoners of war as forced labour during World War Two.
An executive from the Japanese company will make the apology to former POW James Murphy, 94, and the relatives of other one-time prisoners. A senior executive, Hikaru Kimura, expressed remorse at a ceremony in Los Angeles that prisoners had been put to work in mines operated by the firm.
The executive will express remorse at a ceremony at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Los Angeles, officials there say. It is believed to be the first such apology by a Japanese company.
Campaigners say it is the first formal apology by a Japanese firm to POWs. One of the few surviving former US prisoners forced to work in Japan accepted the apology.
"We hope this will spur other companies to join in and do the same." said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the centre. James Murphy, 94, said this was "a glorious day... for 70 years we wanted this.''
The apology in Los Angeles on Sunday is being made independently of the Japanese government, officials say. "I listened very carefully to Mr Kimura's statement of apology and found it very very sincere, humble and revealing," he added.
They say that it is an important gesture ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in August. "We hope that we can go ahead now and have a better understanding , a better friendship and closer ties with our ally, Japan."
"Mr Murphy will represent all the American POWs who were put to labour in the then company's mines in Japan," a Mitsubishi spokesman told the AFP news agency. Relatives of other former prisoners were also present at the ceremony at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
Mitsubishi is acting independently of the Japanese government which has already issued a formal apology to American prisoners.
Japanese government officials say that it is an important gesture ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in August.
"We hope this will spur other companies to join in and do the same." said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.
The mines operated at four locations run by Mitsubishi's predecessor company, Mitsubishi Mining Co.The mines operated at four locations run by Mitsubishi's predecessor company, Mitsubishi Mining Co.
Only two living survivors could be located to accept the apology, and, only Mr Murphy is fit enough to make the trip to Los Angeles, local media reported. Only two living survivors could be located to accept the apology, and, only Mr Murphy was fit enough to make the trip to Los Angeles, local media reported.
About 500 American POWs were forced to work in the mines from among the thousands of allied, Philippine, Korean and Chinese prisoners who were pushed into slave labour by the Japanese.About 500 American POWs were forced to work in the mines from among the thousands of allied, Philippine, Korean and Chinese prisoners who were pushed into slave labour by the Japanese.
'Slavery in every way''Slavery in every way'
Mr Murphy told US media that he spent a year at a copper mine near Hanawa, an experience he described as "a complete horror".Mr Murphy told US media that he spent a year at a copper mine near Hanawa, an experience he described as "a complete horror".
"It was slavery in every way: no food, no medicine, no clothing, no sanitation," he said, adding that it was all the more galling to know that Mitsubishi built fighter aircraft used against American forces."It was slavery in every way: no food, no medicine, no clothing, no sanitation," he said, adding that it was all the more galling to know that Mitsubishi built fighter aircraft used against American forces.
He said that, while he had forgiven his captors, he still wanted for an apology for his ordeal.He said that, while he had forgiven his captors, he still wanted for an apology for his ordeal.
Although no cash compensation is being offered by Mitsubishi, the upcoming apology is "a big deal", he said.Although no cash compensation is being offered by Mitsubishi, the upcoming apology is "a big deal", he said.
Correspondents say it is not clear why the apology has come so long after the war.Correspondents say it is not clear why the apology has come so long after the war.
The Japanese government officially apologised to American former POWs five years ago.The Japanese government officially apologised to American former POWs five years ago.