Japan's First Memorial At Sado Gold Mines Sparks WWII Controversy

On Sunday, Japan will hold its first memorial ceremony for “all workers” who lost their lives at the Sado Island Gold Mines. Recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the mines hold a controversial legacy tied to Japan’s wartime history. Despite acknowledging the brutal conditions under which Korean laborers were forced to work during World War II, the Japanese government has avoided explicitly detailing these atrocities, a move critics say reflects a longstanding reluctance to confront its past.

The Associated Press delves into the history of the Sado mines, the controversy surrounding their recognition, and what the upcoming memorial signifies.

What Are the Sado Gold Mines?

Located on Sado Island off the western coast of Japan’s Niigata prefecture, the Sado gold mines were once the world’s largest producers of gold. Discovered in 1601, they operated for nearly 400 years, supplying gold to the ruling Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo period (1600-1868). The mines ceased operations in 1989 and have since been developed into a tourist attraction, offering visitors insight into mining technology and production methods through preserved shafts and ore dressing facilities.

However, beneath their historical and cultural significance lies a darker chapter. During World War II, the mines became sites of forced labor, where hundreds of Koreans toiled under brutal conditions. Critics argue that Japan’s depiction of the Sado mines often glorifies their historical contributions while glossing over their association with Korean forced labor.

The mines were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in July 2024 after Japan agreed to include exhibits detailing the conditions of Korean laborers and committed to holding a memorial ceremony to honor all workers.

What’s the Controversy?

The Japanese government’s handling of the Sado mines’ history has been a point of contention, particularly with South Korea. During the July UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, Japan installed new exhibition materials that acknowledged the hardships endured by Korean laborers. This included statements about their exposure to dangerous tasks, poor living conditions, and health problems such as lung disease.

While Japan recognized these difficulties, it stopped short of labeling the labor “forced,” a term that carries deeper implications of wartime culpability. Historians and records indicate that many Korean workers were forcibly brought to Japan to address labor shortages as Japanese men were deployed to battlefronts. At the Sado mines alone, approximately 1,500 Koreans worked in perilous conditions, according to wartime documents.

South Korea initially opposed the UNESCO listing, citing the omission of Korean forced laborers’ experiences. It later supported the inclusion after Japan agreed to address these omissions and organize a memorial. Nonetheless, South Korea continues to emphasize the importance of accurate historical representation.

Critics, such as wartime historian Yasuto Takeuchi, argue that the Sado mines controversy reflects Japan’s broader denialism regarding its wartime atrocities. Takeuchi highlights Japan’s attempts to “beautify and justify” its history for tourism and national pride, sidelining the experiences of Korean victims.

Who Does the Ceremony Commemorate?

The memorial ceremony is intended to honor all workers who died at the Sado mines, including the hundreds of Koreans forced to labor during Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula (1910-1945). Organized by local politicians, business owners, and volunteers, the event’s preparation was overseen by local government officials.

Approximately 100 individuals are expected to attend, including representatives from Japan’s local and central governments, South Korean Foreign Ministry officials, and relatives of Korean laborers. Guests will observe a moment of silence for those who perished due to accidents or other causes at the mines.

However, the event has sparked dissatisfaction in South Korea, where critics accuse their government of lacking transparency in its communications with Japan. Questions have been raised about why Seoul supported the memorial without securing a firm commitment from Tokyo to explicitly highlight the plight of Korean laborers.

Adding to the controversy, the South Korean government has agreed to cover travel expenses for families of Korean victims invited to the ceremony, fueling accusations of leniency in holding Japan accountable.

Japan’s Wartime Accountability

Japan has long faced criticism for its handling of wartime history, including its colonization of Korea and the exploitation of Korean laborers and “comfort women”—a euphemism for women forced into sexual servitude for Japanese soldiers. While historians document the atrocities committed under Japanese rule, the government has often downplayed its role, referring to forced laborers as “civilian workers” and using euphemistic language to describe victims.

Compensation demands for these abuses have repeatedly strained Japan-South Korea relations. In 2018, South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to compensate forced labor victims, a decision Japan opposed, citing the 1965 normalization treaty that settled wartime claims.

Recent geopolitical pressures have prompted the two nations to mend ties, particularly as the United States urged closer cooperation in light of China’s growing influence. South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol announced in March 2023 that a domestic fund would compensate forced labor victims without requiring Japanese contributions. Japan’s then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed sympathy during a visit to Seoul, marking a thaw in relations.

However, critics argue that Japan’s broader approach to wartime history remains problematic. Under the leadership of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the government rejected terms like “sex slavery” and “forced labor” and instead promoted sanitized narratives of its past.

Tourism and Historical Revisionism

Listing sites like the Sado mines as UNESCO World Heritage landmarks aligns with Japan’s tourism strategy. By emphasizing industrial achievements while downplaying wartime exploitation, critics say Japan seeks to attract visitors while avoiding accountability.

“The government wants to commercialize sites like the Sado mines by beautifying and justifying their history,” Takeuchi remarked. The approach, he said, underscores a broader reluctance to engage with the darker aspects of Japan’s past.

Conclusion

The memorial ceremony at the Sado mines reflects a complex intersection of history, politics, and diplomacy. While it marks a step toward acknowledging the workers who lost their lives, the event’s lack of explicit recognition for Korean forced laborers underscores ongoing tensions.

As Japan and South Korea navigate their shared history, the ceremony serves as a reminder of the need for honest dialogue and reconciliation—a challenge that continues to shape the two nations’ relationship.