Japan’s Mitsubishi apologizes to US prisoners of war

[Aepsilons]

LOS ANGELES: Japan’s Mitsubishi Materials made a landmark apology Sunday to US prisoners of war forced to work in its mines during World War II, seven decades after the conflict.

The Japanese government only officially apologized to former American POWs five years ago, and Mitsubishi’s initiative appeared to be the first of its kind by a Japanese corporation.

Senior Mitsubishi executive Hikaru Kimura presented a “most remorseful apology” to 94-year-old James Murphy of California, one of just a few surviving US prisoners forced to work in Japan.

Murphy accepted the “sincere, humble” apology.

“For 70 years since the war ended, the prisoners of war who worked for these Japanese companies have asked for something very simple, they asked for an apology,” he said.

“We hope to extend Mitsubishi’s gracious coming forward at this time to all the other mines and factories who employed American POWs against their will.”

Kimura and other company representatives met earlier with Murphy and families of other former POWs “to express our most remorseful apology for their being subjected to hard labor during World War II, when they worked in mines operated by Mitsubishi,” he said.

Speaking through a translator, Kimura noted that close to 900 POWs were assigned to hard labor at four mines in Japan.

Thousands of other US prisoners were pushed into slave labor at Japanese firms during the war.

“Working conditions were extremely harsh and the POWs were subjected to severe hardship,” he recognized, vowing to never let such a thing to happen again.

“As the company that succeeded Mitsubishi Mining, we cannot help feeling a deep sense of ethical responsibility for this past tragedy.”

The apology was made during a ceremony at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. The center is dedicated to the rights of Holocaust survivors.



Japan’s Mitsubishi apologizes to US prisoners of war | Free Malaysia Today

 

[Aepsilons]

Let there be healing , and let the culture of progression and moving on take to heart !

Then:

Now:

@Peter C @jhungary @AMDR @F-22Raptor @gambit @SvenSvensonov, @Transhumanist @Technogaianist @MastanKhan @Oscar @WebMaster @TruthSeeker @CENTCOM

 

[Fenrir]

Let there be healing , and let the culture of progression and moving on take to heart !

Then:

Now:

@Peter C @jhungary @AMDR @F-22Raptor @gambit @SvenSvensonov, @Transhumanist @Technogaianist @MastanKhan @Oscar @WebMaster @TruthSeeker @CENTCOM

A very amazing gesture. This hatchet was buried long ago by most in the US, and with the WWII generation coming to an end many will never hear it, but it's still welcomed.

Oh, and you tagged me twice, but I didn't get the tag.

 

[Aepsilons]

A very amazing gesture. This hatchet was buried long ago by most in the US, and with the WWII generation coming to an end many will never hear it, but it's still welcomed.

Oh, and you tagged me twice, but I didn't get the tag.

I think that Mitsubishi did a good job, a mature job in apologizing openly. Can never apologize enough , and perhaps this landmark decision will be used as catalyst for further apologies with other peoples.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

People need to get over history. The culture was totally different. Force labor camps filled with P.O.W.s was the norm.

Not so long ago when the invaders won a war they butchered the entire inhabitants of a city.

Times changed now there are the Geneva and the Hague accords which govern conducts of war, and are increasing being tested due to vagueness in the 21st century. Combined with the higher morality concerns of the State's populations. More is being demanded.

 

[sicsheep]

Good Job Mitsubishi, too bad Korean and Chinese worked for free.

 

[Fenrir]

People need to get over history. The culture was totally different. Force labor camps filled with P.O.W.s was the norm.

I believe the US has largely forgotten, and those old enough to have lived the horrors of WWII aren't to great in numbers at this time, it's something Americans are good at - forgiving.

If not always immediately, sometimes they need to vent first, but they always forgive and forget.

Time and again Japan has confronted its past and apologized for its actions, how many other nations ever own up to their barbarism?

Here's the apology mentioned in the OP:

And one from 2009 to Asian nations and peoples:

Mitsubishi's apology rounds the circle, after the US apologized for its WWII treatment of Japanese Americans and POWs in interment camps:

From Wrong To Right: A U.S. Apology For Japanese Internment

Both sides have moved on, apologies given and history buried... where it belongs.

Good Job Mitsubishi, too bad Korean and Chinese worked for free.

An apology has been made to them as well (in 2009), as noted above in the second video.

 

[rott]

Wow... They apologized for making the Americans work but do not apologize for the killings of Chinese civilians?
Good!
Nice!
Excellent!

 

[Gauss]

These references to past events involving US are implicit strategic moves by these countries to remind US of its place in the greater scheme of things. In guise of apology, Japan has actually sent a psychological reminder to US that not so long ago we made slaves out of you. Right now you are only playing your turn. As the wheel of mother nature spins who knows we might be dominating you again some day in the future. Not so long ago Brits also reminded US of the day they burnt the white house and US couldnt do anything about it. The message is simple, 'dont get ahead of yourself, the longer the time span we consider the smaller you (or anyone else for that matter) look'.

 

[Aepsilons]

Wow... They apologized for making the Americans work but do not apologize for the killings of Chinese civilians?
Good!
Nice!
Excellent!

In fact Japan has erected a memorial for the thousands of Chinese laborers who were forced to work in Japan against their will. It was even documented by the Chinese Media.

Memorial Ceremony Held for Late Chinese Laborers in Fukushima, Japan during WWII

A memorial ceremony has been held in Fukushima for the late Chinese laborers forced to work in Japan during WWII.

The ceremony was held in front of a monument for the 25 laborers who died in Fukushima while forced to work there under harsh conditions.

According to historical data, roughly 39,000 Chinese laborers were abducted to Japan and forced to work in many parts of Japan during the Japanese invasion into China.

Around 1000 of them were forced to work on construction sites of hydroelectric power stations in Fukushima.


Memorial Ceremony Held for Late Chinese Laborers in Fukushima, Japan during WWII - All China Women's Federation

 

[cnleio]

Japanese bow to the stronger one, China should learn and remember this.

 

[Aepsilons]

Japanese Shrine For Chinese Laborers Forced To Work Against Their Will.

Japanese Pray for the Souls of the Chinese who passed away....

Japanese bow to the stronger one, China should learn and remember this.

Buddy,

We also have been honoring the Chinese who died in Japan , and honor the memory of the thousands more who were brought to Japan against their will. I hope more and more Chinese know of this.

Here's the apology mentioned in the OP:

The way Mr. Murphy , the 94 year old US POW, reacted to the apology and how he was so forgiving is testament of the American heart. It was very emotional for me to see his response.

 

[acetophenol]

That's a great gesture.

 

[gambit]

Nice gesture from Mitsubishi.

The people who ran Mitsubishi back then who used slave labor maybe gone, but since the company remains, and there seems to be no interruptions in the company's history, it is apt that at least an apology was rendered.

 

[Koovie]

Great gesture!

Its really wonderful to see what Japan and the USA have achieved together considering how low both sides got during WW2