Japan's World Heritage Miike Coal Mine – Where prisoners-of-war worked “like slaves”

Japan's Miike Coal Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its role in the Meiji Industrial Revolution, harbors a darker history that has been largely overlooked by official narratives. Research reveals that the mine, operated by Mitsui, was not only Japan's largest coal producer during World War II but also housed the largest Allied POW camp and employed Korean and Chinese forced laborers under brutal conditions. The involvement of Australian POWs further illuminates instances of resistance despite severe abuse. This study underscores Japan's obligation to disclose the complete history of such sites, moving beyond sanitized tourism to acknowledge the full scope of exploitation and labor practices that defined this industrial era.

Palmer, D. (2021). Japan’s World Heritage Miike Coal Mine – Where prisoners-of-war worked “like slaves”. Asia-Pacific Journal, 19(7). https://doi.org/10.1017/s1557466021031156