Human remains identified as victims of World War II mine collapse in Japan

In Japan, a civil group known as Kizamu Kai has recovered suspected human bones from the Chosei Mine site in western Yamaguchi prefecture. These remains are believed to belong to the approximately 180 forced laborers, mostly Koreans, who died in a tragic mine collapse in February 1942. The incident occurred when part of the ceiling of a mine shaft gave way, flooding the site and killing the workers inside. The Japanese authorities first acknowledged the human remains following examinations conducted by police, confirming the bones included limb bones and a skull. The discovery comes after a decades-long effort by the Kizamu Kai group to locate and memorialize the victims of this historical tragedy. They began their work in 1991, aiming initially to create a memorial and collect oral histories and documents related to the mine's past. Since last year, they have conducted undersea searches to recover remains with minimal government assistance, reflecting ongoing tensions regarding Japan's historical actions during its colonial period. Despite improved relations between Japan and South Korea in recent years, stemming from increased cooperation against regional threats, discussions around wartime atrocities continue to create friction between the two nations. The Japanese government has maintained that compensation issues from the wartime era were resolved under a 1965 treaty, leaving some groups feeling frustrated with the lack of acknowledgment and support in addressing these historical grievances.