Japan again makes no mention of Koreans' forced labor at Sado memorial event

Japan once again avoided acknowledging the forced labor of Koreans during a commemorative ceremony for victims of a World War II mine complex on the island of Sado. This annual event, first established in 2024, was held to fulfill Japan's pledge following the Sado mine's inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site in July 2024.

Hamamoto Yukiya, the director-general for cultural affairs at Japan's foreign ministry, participated in the ceremony along with approximately 70 attendees representing various organizations. Hamamoto, speaking on behalf of the Japanese government, mentioned that Korean workers toiled under perilous and difficult circumstances within the mine during the war. He also expressed regret over the loss of life at the site.

However, his statements largely mirrored those delivered at the two preceding ceremonies and did not explicitly address the forced recruitment of Korean labor during that period. In response to Japan's actions, Korea once again boycotted the event for the third consecutive year, citing the absence of agreement on Seoul's demand to include an acknowledgment that Korean workers were coerced during their service at the mine.