Japanese Civic Group: "Mitsubishi Previously Expressed Apology Intent"

'Reactions to the South Korean Government's Forced Mobilization Solution'... 2010 Negotiation Documents Released for the First Time

Representative Takahashi Makoto: "It Appears Humiliating to Japan for the G7"

Amid widespread opposition from various sectors regarding the government's solution for forced mobilization victims, it has been confirmed that Mitsubishi in the past had the intention to apologize for forced mobilization.

The Civic Group for Forced Mobilization under Japanese Imperialism and the Japanese civic organization supporting it, 'Nagoya Mitsubishi · Support Group for the Lawsuit of Korean Women Workers,' visited Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 9th and held a press conference.

Takashi Makoto, representative of the "Nagoya Mitsubishi and Korean Women Workers' Military Comfort Women Lawsuit Support Group," held a press conference on the afternoon of the 9th at the Gwangju City Council Citizen Communication Room, criticizing the Korean government's "third-party compensation proposal."
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]

At this event, they revealed for the first time the "Mitsubishi Korean Women Workers Negotiation Data Book," which contains the details of the negotiations held with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

The negotiations, which took place 16 times over about two years starting in 2010, ultimately broke down due to irreconcilable differences. However, the apology draft prepared by Mitsubishi at the time included the statement, "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries sincerely expresses regret for the hardships endured by the female labor mobilization workers at the Nagoya Aircraft Manufacturing Plant during the war."

This indicates that Mitsubishi acknowledged the illegal acts such as forced mobilization, forced labor, and unpaid wages recognized by Japanese courts and expressed its intention to apologize accordingly.

Although the negotiations ended in failure, it is significant that before government intervention, the Japanese support group and Korean civic organizations went back and forth between Japan and Korea and came close to obtaining an apology letter and compensation from the Japanese defendant companies.

Additionally, the Japanese civic group criticized the Korean government's stance, stating, "The Korean government's statement, which made an unfair decision without listening to the opinions of the parties involved, is completely wrong," and announced plans to respond within Japan.

Makoto Takahashi, representative of the 'Nagoya Mitsubishi · Support Group for the Lawsuit of Korean Women Workers,' commented on the Korean government's eventual proposal of a 'third-party compensation plan' as a solution to forced mobilization compensation, saying, "The defendants in the Korean Supreme Court ruling are Japanese companies, and the plaintiffs are the grandmothers. The Korean government is not a party."

He added, "It feels as if the Korean government showed a humiliating attitude toward Japan because it wants to attend the G7 summit," and criticized, "It is unacceptable to see the Japanese government encouraging and praising the Korean government's attitude."

He also criticized, "The perpetrator companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel, declined to comment on media inquiries after the Korean government's announcement," calling it "the parties shirking responsibility and running away."

He announced that through the past history resolution joint action, which gathers Japanese civic groups, they will hold a session condemning the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs centered in Tokyo on the 14th.

They plan to educate Japanese lawmakers about past history and conduct 'historical truth awareness' activities targeting the general public. They also promised to continue the 'Friday Actions,' which urge apologies and compensation from the Japanese side every Friday, and the 'Letter Sending Campaign to Urge Apology' addressed to the president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to resolve the forced mobilization issue.

Lee Guk-eon, chairman of the Japan Forced Mobilization Citizens' Association, is holding a press briefing at the Gwangju City Council and is unveiling the 'Mitsubishi Korean Women Workers' Comfort Women Negotiation Data Collection' for the first time.
[Photo by Min Hyun-gi]