UNESCO World Heritage Committee Warns Japan for Concealing Forced Labor of Koreans

Joint Investigation Team Points Out Failure to Implement 'Follow-up Measures to Honor Victims'
Severely Insufficient Korean Forced Labor Materials at Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center
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Japan was warned for breaking its promise made when registering the 'Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage' as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On the 12th (local time), the UNESCO World Heritage Committee stated that Japan had not properly implemented the promised "follow-up measures to honor the victims" when applying for the 'Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage' as a World Heritage site. This conclusion was reached by a joint investigation team from UNESCO and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) after inspecting the Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center from the 7th to the 9th of last month. The 60-page on-site investigation report noted, "The fact that Koreans and others were subjected to forced labor at the facilities in the 1940s was not properly disclosed. Memorial measures for the victims were also insufficient." It emphasized, "We express strong regret over Japan's failure to implement follow-up measures."

The 'Meiji Industrial Revolution Heritage' was registered as a World Heritage site in July 2015. Among the twenty-three registered locations, seven bear the sorrow of forced labor of Koreans. These include the Hashima (Gunkanjima) coal mine, Miike coal mine, Takashima coal mine, Yahata Steel Works, and Mitsubishi Shipyard's 3rd dry dock, large crane, and pattern shop. According to the 2016 report by the 'Committee for Investigation of Forced Mobilization Victims during the Anti-Japanese Struggle Period and Support for Overseas Forced Mobilization Victims,' Koreans were isolated on Hashima and engaged in underwater coal mining work. Many died or were injured due to 12-hour workdays, malnutrition, accidents, and diseases. Cases of drowning while attempting to escape the harsh conditions were not uncommon. The situation at Takashima coal mine was similar. Japan produced 470,000 tons of coal for war use at this site alone in 1941. Koreans were mobilized for 12-hour daily coal mining work and faced frequent collapse accidents and harsh living conditions that threatened their survival.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Japan tried to hide its shame while promoting the World Heritage registration. The application did not mention forced labor. The period was limited to the Meiji era (1867?1912). The period when the industrial revolution heritage flourished as a military industry was during the Pacific War. Our government criticized this trickery and protested. It argued that Japan's attempt to register violated not only the World Heritage Convention, which is meant to serve the global community, but also the UNESCO Charter, which emphasizes international cooperation and the maintenance of peace. Eventually, Japan reflected the forced labor of Koreans in the delegation's statements and annotations. The delegation stated, "In the 1940s, many Koreans and other nationals were mobilized against their will at some facilities and forced to work under harsh conditions," and "We will take measures to help understand the implementation of the Japanese government's conscription policy during World War II." They also said, "We are prepared to include memorial measures for victims, such as the establishment of the information center, in the interpretation strategy."

Japan established the Industrial Heritage Information Center in Tokyo in June last year. However, the investigation revealed a severe lack of testimonies and materials properly informing about the history of forced labor of Koreans and others. It did not faithfully interpret the 'full history' that calls for balanced treatment of perspectives, including those of forced conscripted laborers and other victims. The investigation team also pointed out the problematic location of the heritage sites being far from the industrial heritage sites. Mentioning the absence of exhibitions for forced conscripted laborers, they criticized, "The fact that Koreans and other forced laborers were victims was overlooked." Comparing with exemplary cases like Germany, they emphasized that the measures were insufficient and continuous dialogue with concerned countries such as Korea is necessary.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Based on this report, the World Heritage Committee drafted the 'Decision Text on Japan's Modern Industrial Facilities,' expressing strong regret and urging faithful implementation. It expresses "strong regret" over Japan's failure to implement the adopted decisions of the World Heritage Committee and calls for the fulfillment of promises. It is scheduled to be submitted to the 44th World Heritage Committee meeting, which will be held online starting on the 16th. Since opinions from the concerned countries have already been gathered, it is expected to be officially adopted as a decision text. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "It is very unusual for the phrase 'strong regret' to be included in the text of an international organization," adding, "Japan will feel a significant burden from this recommendation." The official also stated, "We will continue to urge Japan to fulfill its promises."

Even if Japan continues to ignore its promises, the possibility of delisting the World Heritage designation is slim. This is because the issue does not directly affect the value and preservation of the heritage. There has been no case where registration was canceled due to interpretation issues of the heritage. Japan also accounts for a large portion of the contributions after the United States withdrew from UNESCO. Given this situation, the anticipated adoption of a strong decision text indicates that UNESCO takes this matter very seriously. Japan must submit a supplementary preservation status report by December 1 of next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.