July 28, 2026

A memorial service took place in a park in Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture on July 26 for the Chinese victims who were forcibly brought to the Miyaura Pit at the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine during WWII and died as a result of harsh forced labor, starvation, and disease.

Consul General Yang Qingdong of the Consulate-General of China in Fukuoka delivered a speech in commemoration.

Attendees at the service included Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councillors Nihi Sohei, and JCP Omuta City assemblypersons Sakiyama Keiko and Kitaoka Aya.

Inamura Haruo, chair of the Fukuoka chapter of the Japan-China Friendship Association, criticized Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae for using the pretext of a potential “Taiwan contingency” as an excuse to increase military spending in preparation for war. Inamura called it a dangerous move that risks an unnecessary conflict between Japan and China. He pointed out, “It is precisely the need to establish a lasting friendship between our two countries that is the path to bringing peace and prosperity to Asia.”

JCP Nihi noted that Mitsubishi Materials apologized and reached a settlement with Chinese plaintiffs in lawsuits, but Mitsui Mining has yet to even agree to a settlement. He stated, “I will do my utmost to work to build a peaceful Asia free of the threat of war.”

To make up for the severe labor shortage during the war, many Chinese workers were carted off to the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine. It is said that approximately 570 people were forced to work at the Miyaura Pit, and more than 40 of them died under harsh conditions.

Past related articles:
> Memorial service for Chinese victims of forced labor held at World Heritage-listed Miike coal mine [July 14, 2015]
> Chinese ex-workers demand Mitsubishi’s apology for wartime forced labor [May 15, 2013]