"Island Without Green." NHK's program featured footage that the broadcaster claimed showed the Hashima coal mine the content of the film was not from the island. during mediation at the Tokyo Summary Court NHK acknowledged that it could not confirm the authenticity of the footage South Korean media had misrepresented the authenticity of the video claiming it was evidence of the inhumane treatment of Korean wartime laborers on Gunkanjima The former residents' press conference served as a platform to denounce this injustice neither NHK nor South Korean media representatives attended "The NHK footage has been referenced as historical fact spreading a fabricated negative image of Gunkanjima worldwide," one former resident stated a special video highlighting instances where South Korean media had exploited the documentary was shown A narrator explained how the footage influenced the 2017 South Korean film The Battleship Island (directed by Ryoo Seung Wan) Ryoo's film depicts scenes purporting to be of wartime Korean laborers being trapped and blown up in Hashima's tunnels Jitsuo Tanaka, a 90-year-old former deputy director of the Mitsubishi Coal Mining Takashima Mining Office, criticized the documentary's footage. "For years, people have used this footage to perpetuate false narratives in South Korea," he stated. Tanaka refuted claims by former Korean workers These included suffering from gas exposure His rebuttal was based on historical records and his own experiences Tanaka also appealed to the media: "We ask for your strong support to achieve the goals of the former residents." The press conference also honored Hideo Kaji a former residents' association president who passed away in November 2024 at age 92 emotionally expressed the frustration and sadness of those whose hometown had been unfairly defamed NHK admitted that it could not confirm whether "certain scenes such as footage of tunnels lit by bare lightbulbs were filmed inside the Hashima coal mine." While NHK's wording was indirect a lawyer representing the former residents stated "This essentially acknowledges that the footage was not from Hashima." However NHK has not issued a formal apology despite requests from former residents. "The former residents are baffled that NHK refuses even a moral apology," the lawyer remarked. It has been four years since Hashima's ex-inhabitants first protested against NHK in November 2020 Koko Kato, Executive Director of the National Congress of Industrial Heritage "Why won't they apologize?" she questioned They should take responsibility for spreading false information and address the former residents and the public with honesty and sincerity." While not satisfied with the mediation outcome Kato highlighted it as a significant step forward She praised the determination of the former residents the people of Hashima drove Japan's rapid economic growth," she stated "Their pride and unrelenting passion inspire our nation We must preserve their testimonies and memories for future generations." Author: Shimpei Okuhara You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " ruins that seem on the verge of collapse stand clustered behind a high seawall or “Battleship Island,” because of its resemblance to the warship Tosa Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the closing of the island’s coal mine please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent Koichi Nagano and Tetsu Joko / Yomiuri Shimbun Photographers High-quality coal was discovered on Hashima around 1810 making it the most densely populated island in Japan Within the 1.2-kilometer-long perimeter were most of the things one would need for daily life including an elementary and junior high school The island was closed in 1974 and fell into disrepair it has been reborn as a tourist destination the Hashima Coal Mine was added to the World Cultural Heritage list as one of the “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution.” Preservation work is also underway visitors can tell just how many years have passed by the overgrowth of trees It is difficult to imagine the hustle and bustle that once existed here with only the lonely sound of waves now echoing off the island the annual Hashima Shrine festival would be held there were fireworks displays and Bon Odori dancing with only the miniature hokora shrine left intact There is also a slide on the roof of the No but the walls and pillars around the slide are heavily cracked there is an abandoned cathode-ray tube television Plants that formerly were found only in the rooftop vegetable garden now bloom brightly among the rubble caring for the miners who were tired from their night shifts and sleeping during the day,” said Minoru Kinoshita there are so many nostalgic memories that I feel like I’m the age I was back then.” No matter how desolate the island may be Although most of the island is off-limits to visitors it has been in the spotlight in recent years serving as the setting for movies and TV dramas and attracting tourists from all over the world “I’m happy the island will be remembered by so many people It seems to be a little livelier than it used to be,” said a smiling Kinoshita This year marks 10 years since the isle was added to the World Cultural Heritage list which once supported Japan’s economic growth seems to have found a new place for itself in the world Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun also known as "Battleship Island," from off the coast of Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan [YONHAP] The seats designated for Korean government representatives and bereaved families remain empty at the Sado Mines Memorial Ceremony on Nov The Korean government decided not to attend the Japan-hosted event On March 26, 2025, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) President Nobuo Inaba formally apologized to former residents of Hashima Island — commonly known as Gunkanjima His apology concerned a decades-old NHK program that many say helped spread falsehoods about the island's history The program aired in 1955 and depicted harsh underground mining conditions Korean media have widely misused the footage It has fueled claims of wartime forced labor — claims that former residents argue are baseless and deeply damaging Inaba's apology took place during a public meeting at a hotel in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward "We have damaged your honor for a long time and I sincerely apologize for the pain this has caused," he said Despite multiple news organizations being present That decision has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about the broadcaster's sincerity former residents of Hashima have demanded a correction and a formal apology from NHK They point out that the cave footage used in Midori Naki Shima — which shows narrow dimly lit tunnels — does not depict actual conditions in Hashima's coal mines they point out that the footage was produced years later in violation of safety regulations at the time South Korean broadcaster KBS later used the footage without permission KBS aired a documentary titled Hell Island: Gunkanjima It portrayed the island as a site of brutal forced labor during Japan's colonial rule South Korea's National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation even screened the documentary which contributed to a global spread of misinformation former residents — including Yoichi Nakamura — continued to press NHK for accountability "Hashima was like one big family," Nakamura said during the meeting but we kept going so that future Japanese would not inherit this unresolved stain." Many praised Inaba's decision to apologize including Kenichiro Saito of the NHK Party NHK's refusal to report the apology on its own channels has sparked frustration Inaba confirmed that NHK had not reported on the apology "What we report is a matter of editorial judgment," he said "I will refrain from discussing the reasons for specific decisions." Critics argue that NHK's response falls short They view the apology as a pivotal moment in a longstanding public controversy — one that deserves the same editorial weight as any major national story Some have called on NHK to go further. They want the broadcaster to produce a follow-up program. One that revisits Midori Naki Shima investigates its historical context and corrects past misperceptions. "If NHK had acted swiftly in the past," one editorial noted, "Japan might not have faced such intense backlash when Hashima entered the World Heritage list in 2015." Gunkanjima was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in July 2015. It was recognized as part of the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution. South Korean media and activists have instead described the island as a site of Japanese wartime atrocities They claim that Korean laborers were forced to work under inhumane conditions It acknowledged that some footage in Midori Naki Shima could not be confirmed as depicting Hashima it did not issue a correction or apology until Inaba's meeting on March 26 Why has NHK stayed silent in its own coverage Why did other media have to report the apology first And how will NHK prevent this kind of misrepresentation in the future It's about reclaiming truth in how Japan presents its history — both to its citizens and to the world." It has always been about protecting the dignity of their home — and their country — from being distorted by those who never knew it You must be logged in to post a comment Imagine stepping into a time when architects weren’t just building structures but creating entire societies Cities weren’t merely places to live—they were visions of the future These grand plans were meant to reshape the world many stand as eerie reminders of dreams that never materialized From the ambitious Soviet cities to the space-age fantasies of the 20th century let’s journey through some of the most iconic but forgotten architectural endeavors—testaments to the delicate relationship between human aspiration and the reality that often resists it Architects and urban planners weren’t just thinking about buildings—they were dreaming of societies that could change the way people lived They envisioned cities that could be models of harmony leaving only traces of what could have been utopian cities—where visionary ideas collided with harsh realities was born to house the workers of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant It was meant to be a showcase of Soviet progress—a city of wide boulevards The Chernobyl explosion turned this utopia into an abandoned wasteland its once-thriving streets now overtaken by nature and a rusting Ferris wheel remains unmoving a haunting reminder of how quickly even the most futuristic visions can turn to ruins inspired by spiritual leader Mirra Alfassa This city was meant to be a sanctuary of peace where people from all backgrounds could live harmoniously—free from politics Auroville was meant to be the antidote to a divided world Auroville is far from the bustling metropolis it was meant to be struggling with financial and governance issues leaving behind an experiment that is still searching for its purpose also known as Gunkanjima or "Battleship Island," was once one of the most densely populated places on Earth home to concrete apartment blocks and an industrious community it seemed like the perfect industrial utopia with decaying buildings and infrastructure being slowly reclaimed by nature The island serves as a somber reminder of how quickly industrial ambitions can unravel architect Oscar Niemeyer and urban planner Lúcio Costa envisioned Brasília as Brazil’s new capital—a city of the future designed to embody modernity and efficiency symmetrical streets and futuristic buildings it was a carefully planned vision meant to reflect Brazil's progress Its rigid design ignored the organic growth of communities leaving the city feeling sterile and impersonal Brasília often feels more like a design experiment than a true metropolis Finnish architect Matti Suuronen envisioned the Futuro House—a fiberglass flying saucer-shaped home that could be easily assembled and moved anywhere in the world It was a bold response to the growing demand for portable and efficient living spaces The oil crisis of the 1970s made its materials prohibitively expensive and the idea of living in a UFO-like structure just didn’t resonate with people forgotten monuments to a vision of housing that never fully materialized Each of these failed architectural dreams reveals a crucial lesson: turning visionary ideas into reality is never as simple as it seems What makes a city truly successful isn’t just the design—it’s how well it adapts to the needs of the people who live in it Utopian visions often fail because they try to impose an idealized structure on society disregarding the unpredictable and evolving nature of human needs They stand as eerie yet beautiful reminders of human ambition—a testament to a time when architects believed they could build a better world These forgotten cities are frozen moments in history preserving both the power and the limits of human imagination Perhaps the greatest lesson from these forgotten utopias is that true success in architecture—and in life—lies in adaptability The most enduring structures aren’t the ones that started as grand flawless visions but the ones that were able to grow and change the next time you encounter an abandoned building or a forgotten city These places are more than just ruins; they are echoes of dreams that once seemed within reach reminders of a future that might have been they remind us that the most powerful utopia is not the one we design but the one we build together Posted by Insights | Mar 9 the second city to be devastated by an atomic bomb in World War II lies a tiny island located along the southwestern island of Kyushu in Japan it appears to resemble the formidable silhouette of a naval warship cutting through the waves It is a place where crumbling cement apartment blocks stare out at the horizon where silent corridors and dusty staircases trace the outlines of vanished lives which translates to “Battleship Island.” sealed off from humanity when the last inhabitants departed decades ago It had been left to the unforgiving elements and remained vacant of any visitors except ghosts from the past Hashima Island’s transformation from an uninhabited rock into a cornerstone of Japan’s industrial revolution began in the early 19th century when coal was discovered beneath its seabed Japan had recognized coal as an essential resource for fueling its ambitions of modernization the Mitsubishi Corporation acquired the island and began large-scale mining operations To maximize the extraction of undersea coal seams Mitsubishi expanded the island through extensive land reclamation creating the fortress-like appearance that earned it the nickname “Battleship Island.” Gunkanjima became a thriving microcosm of industrial Japan and even leisure facilities built to accommodate the growing workforce Those early developments laid the foundation for what would become one of the most densely populated places on Earth during its peak The Meiji Restoration of 1868 marked a turning point in Japanese history ending centuries of feudal rule under the Tokugawa Shogunate and returning power to the Emperor The political revolution sparked a rapid modernization campaign as Japan sought to catch up with Western industrial powers The new government adopted sweeping reforms abolishing the rigid class system and promoting industrial growth through expanding infrastructure coal became a crucial resource for fueling industrialization coal from Gunkanjima fueled steel mills and powered shipyards that helped put Japan at the forefront of modern industry Expanding markets and the demands of a growing economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries rendered the site a symbol of rapid transformation the transition from a largely agrarian society to an industrial one caused waves of social and economic change With a peak population reaching several thousand in a span of barely one square kilometer Hashima Island was once one of the most densely populated places on Earth Imperial expansion and war would only intensify production demands and drive the need for labor forced labor became a mechanism to ensure a steady workforce Individuals from the Korean Peninsula were brought to Japan against their will to support coal mining and other strategic industries that required intensive and often dangerous labor establishing it as a colony under harsh and exploitative rule Koreans were treated as second-class citizens and subjected to systemic discrimination in every aspect of society The dehumanizing view of Koreans was deeply ingrained in the systems that governed their lives during Japan’s Colonial rule extending into the labor practices imposed on them When Japan’s war effort intensified in the 1930s and 1940s that discriminatory ideology justified the conscription of Koreans into dangerous and grueling work environments Many were forcibly relocated to industrial sites in Japan and a rigid hierarchy shaped the everyday experience of indentured Koreans Those forced into labor often faced grueling shifts and the constant risk of industrial accidents Most held little hope of escaping their plight as well as strict oversight by guards and employers Oral histories compiled in later years mention hardships that have left emotional scars for generations on the descendants of those who survived Japan changed its national energy policies in a shift toward imported oil and Gunkanjima’s mine became less profitable The enormous cost of maintaining living spaces and infrastructure in such a harsh marine environment grew difficult to maintain The end of Hashima Island’s inhabited life came swiftly and decisively and many years after Japan’s defeat in WWII which had managed its coal mine for nearly a century Japan’s energy policies had shifted away from coal to cheaper imported oil rendering operations on Gunkanjima economically unfeasible residents were given just weeks to pack their belongings and leave the island for good and communal spaces were left eerily intact creating a post-apocalyptic scene that would remain undisturbed for decades an isolated ruin battered by typhoons and the harsh salt air of the East China Sea That period of abandonment earned it a new nickname as a “ghost island,” shrouded in mystery and cut off from the public The restricted access and safety concerns further deepened its obscurity Administrative control of the island was transferred to the city of Nagasaki With a national focus on innovating technology that would propel Japan into an economic superpower in the 1980s Gunkanjima was considered an inconvenient relic of Japan’s wartime industrial past Time and indifference would eventually render it unsafe for exploration Concrete walls crumbled under the strain of repeated storms while rebar exposed to the elements gradually corroded Most of the buildings that remained standing became hollow shells reflecting the lost ambition of another era Gunkanjima’s silhouette would eventually become an object of curiosity to foreigners visiting Nagasaki at the dawn of the Internet but as unreachable as it was not talked about began taking photos to document the island’s decaying structures was the curtain of secrecy finally pulled back those early visitors risked arrest and personal injury as they navigated through crumbling stairwells The images they captured were shared with niche communities online years before mobile devices like the iPhone ushered in the era of influencers with Instagram visits were often carried out in secrecy under the cover of night to avoid detection But as the trickle of photos began to circulate over the years they helped to reawaken public interest in the island’s forgotten past The haunting images of a place frozen in time sparked fascination from historians and appealed to photographers and adventurers who were attracted to sites of urban decay Gunkanjima’s allure grew and the Japanese government began receiving proposals to formally reopen the site following extensive safety assessments and the construction of limited walkways for visitors the island officially opened to guided tours The shift from obscurity to public spectacle marked the beginning of Gunkanjima’s transformation into a tourist destination Visitors today can board ferry tours from Nagasaki to step briefly onto the island’s southern edge Though access remains restricted to prevent accidents in its hazardous interiors tourists flock from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the iconic ruins In recent years the site has served as a backdrop for documentaries and even pop culture phenomena like the James Bond movie “Skyfall.” Gunkanjima’s hauntingly preserved ruins are unique but have parallels in industrial sites around the world One popular example could be found in Milwaukee the Solvay Coke Factory was once a symbol of industrial progress playing a key role in coal gas production and steelmaking during the height of Milwaukee’s manufacturing era Both sites reflected the rise and fall of vital industries yet their paths after abandonment diverged sharply leaving behind only fragments of its once-thriving infrastructure The “rediscovery” of Gunkanjima invigorated the local economy around Nagasaki but it also reignited debates about how to responsibly preserve and present its history both as a marvel of industrial ambition and as a site of forced labor and human suffering The island became part of a group of former factories and mines proposed for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Sites It was a national effort to highlight Japan’s modernization between the late 19th and early 20th centuries Being conferred that status would significantly boost tourism bolstering regional economies that have languished amid Japan’s deindustrialization But the bid for that level of recognition has been marked by protests and controversies Critics point out that confining the heritage timeline to the Meiji era excluded examining the full spectrum of events that occurred on the island and at similar facilities like the Sado gold mine > READ: Sado gold mine gains UNESCO status after Tokyo pledges to exhibit WWII trauma of Korean laborers Korean forced labor survivors of Gunkanjima and their families have sought legal redress for years noting that existing companies today from that era like Mitsubishi have continued to profit from their brand names and infrastructure That revenue was originally built during times when forced labor was part of their daily business operations Though treaties were signed between Japan and South Korea to normalize diplomatic relations war reparations were made within the framework of state-to-state agreements often bypassing direct compensation to individuals Compensation settlements over decades have remained entangled in the complexities of legal responsibility and moral restitution Each new lawsuit or diplomatic discussion stirs memories of an unresolved past that remains unsettled to this day Supporters of World Heritage status view Gunkanjima and related sites and argue that they are testaments to Japan’s ingenuity and worth of both preservation and recognition Skeptics and critics contend that any commemorative plaque or museum exhibit should not omit or downplay the stories of forced labor They oppose what they see as selective storytelling and caution that ignoring historical injustices risks perpetuating unresolved tensions Gunkanjima poses a question that resonates far beyond Japanese shores how should a society handle heritage sites that are stained by injustice monuments and memorials continue to spark controversy when they become rallying points for unresolved historical debates Contemporary Japanese society is not monolithic in its understanding or commemoration of Gunkanjima Some individuals and organizations have actively worked to uncover historical documents and incorporate them into educational materials Municipal authorities and tourism bureaus face the challenge of presenting a balanced perspective while catering to visitors’ expectations for what has become an Instagram destination the island’s status as a haunted landmark has not faded and only grown since the COVID-19 pandemic it lies in grappling with the many contradictions Some proposals say that the best method is to establish comprehensive cultural and historical centers near the island so that visitors can learn about every layer of its story Others propose that any UNESCO-associated acknowledgment should include a mandate to detail the experiences of forced laborers clearly and unapologetically Such approaches would neither erase nor overly sensationalize Japan’s past they would offer a respectful and unvarnished tribute to the island’s historical significance It tells of the frantic scramble toward industrial might the lives built in the shadow of towering apartment blocks and the struggles of those compelled to work in an undersea mine Trapped between the rising tide and the unstoppable decay of abandoned concrete Yet its memory remains at the center of discussions about accountability and how to present history both to the triumphs of human engineering and to the deep scars left by coercion and war This explainer was designed to break down complex topics or events into clear that provides essential context and background Its purpose is to help readers understand the "why" and "how" behind current news Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress NHK admitted it could not confirm whether the dubious footage used in the documentary was filmed on Gunkanjima The revelation was made in a Summary Court arbitration session with former islanders NHK broadcast the program without substantiating the facts It is hard to believe that it could have happened. Former island residents subsequently held a press conference, calling on NHK to produce a program to investigate what really happened. They claimed that they had been "falsely stigmatized." We agree. Furthermore, NHK should investigate how the footage in question was misused for anti-Japan propaganda and restore the honor of Japan and the former islanders Green Island is a short film produced by NHK back in 1955 It included scenes purportedly filmed inside the coal mines of Gunkanjima Some of its scenes showed workers clad in loincloths crawling through narrow tunnels and transporting coal by hand NHK provided footage from the documentary to South Korean media in 2010 South Korean entities began telecasting programs with sensationalistic titles The film was even used at the National Memorial Museum of Forced Mobilization under Japanese Occupation in Busan Curators used it to suggest that individuals from the Korean Peninsula were treated inhumanely in Japan former island residents protested to NHK that the footage was not taken within the Hashima mines and demanded a retraction it compiled an investigative report that said it "did not conclude that the footage was anything other than from the Hashima coal mine." a group of former island residents filed for court arbitration NHK finally admitted that in scenes where workers are not wearing headlamps and certain other scenes "We have not been able to confirm that the footage was taken inside the Hashima coal mine." although NHK expressed "strong regret" during the mediation it has not agreed to correct the unsubstantiated content an NHK representative commented that the contents of the mediation "were no different" from its own 2021 investigation report these two positions are in flagrant contradiction Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining, encompassing nearly two dozen separate sites including Gunkanjima, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2015. At the time, South Korea strongly opposed the move It claimed that forced labor had been employed at some of the sites It is NHK's responsibility to dispel false information caused by the misleading programs it produces We urge the National Diet to get to the bottom of this problem. Author: Editorial Board You must be logged in to post a comment Japan’s Hashima Island was once one of the most densely populated areas in the world Beginning in 2011, Takafumi Noguchi and a team of researchers began traveling to the dilapidated island also known as Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) after its vaguely ship-like shape to measure the deterioration of the reinforced concrete buildings Hashima’s crammed collection of apartment buildings experiences weathering from corrosive seawater and typhoons Its location and density of buildings presents a unique case study “Accumulated reinforced concrete ruins do not seem to exist except Hashima,” says Noguchi “Concrete structures built in ancient Rome are the only competitor but they do not contain reinforcing steel.” The island played a key role in Japan’s rapid industrialization during the rising years of the 20th century which sits atop an undersea coal mine that provided fuel for the surging country Carefully strolling through the crumbling high-rises, Noguchi’s team uses scanners, including infrared lasers, to study corrosion and cracking in the concrete, as well as the structural integrity of the steel bars that form the brittle bones of the buildings. Some steel is so corroded that the buildings are close to collapse. With proper care, they may survive. “Our findings proved that collapsing reinforced concrete buildings can be repaired, strengthened, and preserved,” Noguchi says. “It is expected that several structures will survive in the world.” The study also found that newer building materials aren’t always the best—ceramic is the most durable, while steel is the worst. It’s Noguchi’s hope that by preserving the buildings, more people will be able to experience the time-frozen island. The Hashima Island was a place where tens of thousands of Chinese and Korean laborers were forced and enslaved by Japan during its war of aggression the history of forced labor crimes was skipped by the guidebook and tour guides there 15 (Xinhua) -- "There was no forced labor here," said a tour guide blatantly on Hashima where visitors are supposed to be told about the history of forced labor crimes the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution were listed as a World Cultural Heritage amid huge controversy as the island was a place where tens of thousands of Chinese and Korean laborers were forced and enslaved by Japan during its war of aggression there is a conspicuous omission in the long chronology of history from the Meiji period onwards with only two records covering the 30-year period from 1925 to 1955 -- The island's coal production peaked at 411,100 tons in 1941 It did not talk about the laborers who were forced to work here during the Japanese invasion period or the death toll of the laborers not to mention "North Korea" or "China" in the guidebook Historical records showed that the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi used a great number of Korean laborers to start mining on Hashima in 1939 Mitsubishi forced Chinese war prisoners captured by the Japanese army to be enslaved there where hundreds of Chinese and Korean laborers were killed The history skipped by the guidebook was obviously not touched upon by the ship's guide either The tour guide told visitors that the coal and ore dug out of the island not only provided rich minerals for Mitsubishi shipyards and steel mills but also contributed greatly to the modernization of Japan as a whole also known as Battleship Island due to its appearance was like a black iron beast on the sparkling sea where buildings seemed like turrets on the deck of a battleship While the guide flaunted the facilities which in his eyes bolstered the beginning of modern Japanese architectural history there was not a shred of sympathy for the dead laborers When questioned if he tells the tourists about this history at all I don't know this history," and "I share what the company told us to." telling the full history of forced labor at the Hashima Coal Mine on the island was a commitment pledged by Japan to UNESCO when it applied for a World Heritage Site Japan's Industrial Heritage Information Center displayed testimonies and materials that deny the fact that Japan had workers brought there forcibly which aroused deep disappointment and strong protest in the international community the UNESCO World Heritage Committee decided to require Japan to fully inform the history of forced labor when publicizing the application of the Meiji Industrial Revolution sites a resolution by the World Heritage Committee "deeply regrets" that Japan failed to fully inform about the history of forced recruitment of Korean laborers and others when promoting the sites of the Meiji Industrial Revolution and pointed out that the Japanese government failed to honor its commitment to the international community during the application process The resolution also called on the Japanese government to consider measures to disclose that many of the workers were forcibly brought to the coal mine from the Korean Peninsula and made to work under harsh conditions As the sea trip around Hashima Island came to a stop someone yelled "There is no history of forced labor here!" This voice was not from the tour guide but seemingly from some Japanese visitors on the cruise.■ Cities are like living bodies, each one animated by the pulse of human life. People give a city purpose, identity, and movement. When a city is abandoned leaving behind only the silent architecture While such environments can be hauntingly beautiful in their own right they nonetheless evoke a sense of unease in the returning visitor who will be aware that their surroundings are akin to an architectural 'out of body' experience that the thriving modern city they live and work in may one day suffer the same fate To mark Halloween 2024 while once filled with the soul of human activity have since been left to decay and gently return to nature Nicknamed “Battleship Island” for its fortress-like appearance, Hashima is a concrete remnant of Japan’s industrial era Having housed thousands of coal miners and their families in the early 20th century the island was left deserted following its mine's closure in 1974 the island landscape's eeriness is compounded by the abandoned structures that weather-beaten concrete structures create a stark made famous as a Bond villain’s lair in Skyfall Decaying staircases and empty apartments remain as relics of a bygone era embodying the speed with which thriving communities can vanish owed to industrial changes leaving personal belongings and an abandoned urban landscape among the forest has become an equally iconic ghostly symbol the city's structures are nonetheless a useful source of study for radiation scientists and archaeologists Alabama’s first capital, Cahaba, is a ghost town where remnants of antebellum architecture reflect its former prominence featuring brick homes with stately columns and civic buildings showcasing Greek Revival and early Southern architectural styles The American Civil War and frequent floods led to its decline leaving behind ruins that blend historical elegance with the encroaching wilderness and remnants of iron fencing hint at the town’s architectural past which can still be explored by the visiting public However, economic troubles and dwindling demand halted the project before completion, leaving over 700 homes vacant. Today, the neatly arranged rows of empty, fairytale-like villas create a surreal atmosphere, while its future remains a topic of conversation among governments and investors Nestled in the Brazilian Amazon, Fordlândia was established in 1928 by Henry Ford intended as a self-sustaining rubber-producing town for the Ford Motor Company Ford envisioned an American-style community complete with wooden homes and the challenges of rubber cultivation in the Amazon The singular landscape contains many architectural reflections: the limitations of industry imposed on nature the complexities and legacies of colonialism the link between cities and finite industries Bodie was a booming gold rush hub in the late 1800s the town was gradually deserted and today stands preserved in a state of “arrested decay.” Wooden saloons, general stores, and homes remain filled with the original furniture and belongings of past residents. Bodie’s dry climate has helped preserve its buildings offering a glimpse into frontier life, while the town's dusty streets and rustic structures transport visitors back to the era of the California gold rush Craco dates back to the 8th century and hosts ancient stone houses and medieval towers the town was gradually evacuated in the 20th century leaving its narrow streets and deserted piazzas behind the town's Romanesque structures and looming tower form an arresting silhouette against the horizon as if forming an artificial extension of the mountains the town is occasionally used as a film location for movies such as The Passion of the Christ Gibellina Vecchia, an Italian town in Sicily was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1968 leaving behind rubble and empty shells of homes abandoning the original town; a pattern repeated many times across the Sicilian landscape artist Alberto Burri transformed the ruins into a massive open-air memorial known as Il Cretto di Burri The project covered the remains with white concrete preserving the town’s layout as a labyrinthine landscape of large These minimalistic forms create an architectural map of Gibellina Vecchia slowly evacuated in the 1980s due to a massive coal seam fire still burning underground As poisonous gases leaked and sinkholes opened the town’s buildings were gradually abandoned leaving vacant homes and empty streets in their wake overgrown sidewalks weaving through what was once a thriving community Centralia’s eerie atmosphere is heightened by smoke rising from the ground in places along with its infamous “Graffiti Highway,” have become a symbol of both human error and environmental disaster Founded during a diamond rush in the early 1900s, Kolmanskop was once an affluent desert town modeled after German villages. Lavish homes and grand public buildings once lined its streets, displaying a mix of German colonial architecture and Art Nouveau influences with rooms filled with dunes creating a surreal sight for visitors which today include tourists and photographers Niall Patrick Walsh Niall Patrick Walsh is an architect and journalist, living in Belfast, Ireland. He writes feature articles for Archinect and leads the Archinect In-Depth series. He is also a licensed architect in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at BDP, one of the largest design + ... Oh man I'm in love with the wood Gothic of Cahaba. I worked on a church in Florida somewhat similar to this they (the parishioners) called it Cracker Gothic Also it appears the graffiti highway was covered in piles of gravel in April 2020 (Yes I just went and visited all of these places on Google maps as I read the article There a bunch of 'ghost towns' here in CO. Mostly they are just a few surviving hovels that used to be mining towns Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site Your comment will be visible once approved About nine miles from the city of Nagasaki sits an abandoned island, void of inhabitants but steeped in history. Hashima Island, once a mecca for undersea coal mining, was a sharp representation of Japan‘s rapid industrialization Also known as Gunkanjima (meaning Battleship Island) for its resemblance to a Japanese battleship Hashima functioned as a coal facility from 1887 until 1974 Once the coal reserves started depleting and petroleum began replacing coal Hashima Island went ignored for nearly three decades But as abandoned concrete walls crumbled and flora flourished the dilapidated island caught the attention of those interested in the undisturbed historic ruins Hashima Island’s past isn’t that simple During World War II the history of the island is darker as Japanese wartime mobilization policies exploited enlisted Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war as forced laborers it’s estimated that over 1,000 workers died on the island between the 1930s and the end of the war as a result of unsafe working conditions the island was named a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Historical Site in 2015 and groups of visitors can be taken on tours the island’s legacy remains an enigma It’s unclear whether the focal point of the island should revolve around its part in Japan’s industrial revolution or as a reminder of the forced laborers who had to endure excruciating circumstances Coal was first discovered on the 16-acre island in the early 1800s In an attempt to catch up with western colonial powers Japan embarked on a period of rapid industrial development starting in the mid-1800s and utilized Hashima Island for the endeavor After Mitsubishi bought the island in 1890 the company consequently developed seawalls and began extracting coal as Japan’s first major undersea coal exploitation In 1916, a seven-floor apartment block (Japan’s first large reinforced concrete building) was built for the miners. To protect against typhoon damage, sturdy concrete was used to create apartment complexes, a school Wikimedia CommonsMap pointing out where Hashima Island is located it reached its peak population of 5,259 residents coal mines across the country began closing as petroleum became its number one replacement Mitsubishi closed the Hashima mines for good With nobody left to maintain the structures after the island was deserted many of them collapsed and decayed into rubble over time Mitsubishi maintained ownership of the island which was absorbed by the city of Nagasaki in 2005 the island and its undisturbed housing complexes opened to tourists in 2009 particularly the density of crammed buildings that have undergone weathering from corrosive seawater Yuriko Nakao/Getty ImagesBuildings built to maximize the limited space and light stand in the restricted area of Hashima Island or commonly called Gunkanjima or Battleship Island “Accumulated reinforced concrete ruins do not seem to exist except Hashima,” researcher Takafumi Noguchi said “Concrete structures built in ancient Rome are the only competitor but they do not contain reinforcing steel.” began scaling the island in 2011 to see how the crumblings buildings could be saved https://www.archetypefotografie.nl//FlickrHashima Island Despite its booming tourist business and film appearances (including James Bond’s Skyfall) a vast majority of the island remains off-limits to visitors as the massive investments needed to ensure the safety of the aged buildings would ultimately jeopardize the historical state of the property The harrowing experiences of the slave laborers add an entirely different kind of eeriness to Hashima Island After Japan colonized Korea and invaded China they used recruited labor in the 1930s and 1940s to force thousands of people to work the mines Past workers have recounted their time with grim details, describing the conditions as grueling and inhumane Local records state that 123 Korean people and 15 Chinese people died on the island between 1925 and 1945 Yuriko Nakao/Getty Images‘Building 65,’ the largest dormitory building for workers on Hashima Island While the initial bid to be included in the UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites covered the industrialization feats of the island from the 1850s to 1910, it made no mention of the Korean and Chinese forced laborers Due to Hashima Island’s association with wartime slave laborers South Korea formally objected to its bid for recognition Google Street View of the abandoned coal factory at Hashima Island and the site was subsequently approved for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list as Japanese officials had repeatedly declined to use the term “forced labor” or refer to the Korean workers as “slaves.” The history enclosed behind the seawalls of Hashima Island is a lot of things: rich One thing that is clear: the Japanese enclave is a testament to how After learning about Hashima Island, also known as Gunkanjima, read about Goqui Island, which was also claimed by nature. Then take a look inside Stalin’s infamous “Cannibal Island” Mitsubishi turned it into a mining facility housing workers and their families Island also the inspiration for the villain's home in the latest 007 movie "Skyfall" has a darker history relating to slave labor during WWII '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" By Tamatha Roman widely known as “Gunkanjima” or “Battleship Island,” began with a plea to the Nagasaki government please get permission to go to the parts of Hashima that visitors aren’t granted access The parts where journalists are sometimes dropped off and are able to tiptoe around the crumbling city that had thrived with life just 40 years ago could I just please pretend I was Daniel Craig in Skyfall and pose for my own James Bond moment As a haikyo (“urban exploration”) enthusiast no Nagasaki trip of mine was going to happen without a boat ride out to Hashima—located approximately 19 kilometers southwest of Nagasaki’s bustling port Recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status the island has a rich history dating back to the 1880s when Mitsubishi first excavated coal from the seabed underneath Hashima Rather than shuttling workers back and forth to Nagasaki a cramped community was built on the island over 5,000 people made a life on Hashima’s 6,300 square-meters of rocky land Yet it managed to provide all the comforts of mainland life and people rushed to the mainland for other work the island gained notoriety when Skyfall used Hashima as one of its backdrops the only way you can step on the island—albeit a very sectioned-off portion of the island—is to join one of the four cruise companies that venture out there I had to settle for a regular tour along with the rest of lowly masses (Cruises are often cancelled based on the sea conditions.) I had arranged the tour with Gunkanjima Cruises (¥3,600) our cruiser set off with about 100 people in tow all Japanese and all carrying ponchos in preparation for the rainy weather but it was hard to pay attention to anything with the loudspeaker blasting out historical information in Japanese … the whole way After a rather unnecessary stop at Takashima—the island closest to Hashima—to use the toilet and listen to a short lecture about Hashima in front of a miniature replica we finally spied the island on the horizon It was significantly smaller than I dreamed which at one time was the highest in the world Our cruise did a slow lap around most of the island the island truly resembled a battleship—thus the name—especially given the black soot covering most of the buildings eventually gathering in an open area for yet another lecture The boardwalk that tourists can visit is strictly fenced off with signs warning not to go beyond the railings It took a lot of effort on my part not to happily flee from the tour group and risk deportation we developed another strategy: lag way behind As the lectures were entirely in Japanese—and since we were on this spectacularly photogenic island—it was easy to tune out and wander off An attendant made sure to keep an eye on us but we enjoyed the island on own own terms Though I was originally disappointed to not get special treatment I was amazed with my surroundings: the skeleton of a mining shaft that took workers 600 meters underground; the conveyor belts that once carted coal; the concrete apartment windows framing mysterious objects within It was fun to fantasize about this “lost” civilization and revel in the eerie quiet punctuated by the sounds of waves and Hashima’s thriving bird population One interesting insight we received was that the seawall is often breached; large waves have damaged the tourist boardwalk four times The guide pointed out where the metal poles had been ripped out of the concrete how long before the island crumbles entirely waiting for the slow gaijin to get on the damn boat “Could I please just stay overnight?” I asked a staff member and a gentle push separated me from their precious island … for now I could always hire a certain secret agent For Gunkanjima Cruise information visit, www.gunkanjima-cruise.jp/course.html?lang=en. Watch Tamatha’s adventure at http://youtu.be/RuzerPiiAzA From purple sweet potatoes to wild horse sightings here’s how to make the most of Okinawa’s tropical escape Explore the best local brands shaping Tokyo’s fashion scene From vintage clothing to Hawaiian-themed goods here’s what’s worth checking out before it’s gone From buying and registering a bike to key rules of the road Collagen staples for beauty and health in Japan Our handpicked list of the best events going on this month and the untold tales of Japan’s queer community Everything you need to know before and during a natural disaster Stay up to date with Tokyo news and events Source: UNESCO Source: CNN Source: The Yomiuri Shimbun via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Source: The Guardian Source: Atlas Obscura Source: Forbes Source: Yonhap News Agency Source: The Asahi Shimbun Source: UNESCO Source: Business Insider Source: Newsday Japan's abandoned Hashima Island was the inspiration for the villain's lair in "Skyfall" Tour operators have been offering trips from Nagasaki to Hashima since 2009 Singapore's Jurong Frog Farm breeds American bullfrogs for consumption Frogs are very popular food in Asia; at least 15 million are eaten in Singapore alone each year the oviducts of female frogs which are promoted for their health benefits Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications Instagram X Threads Snapchat TikTok YouTubeLAD Entertainment Home> News> World News An island established in the 1800s has a very dark past Hashima Island is only 16-acres and sits just off the coast of the Japanese city of Nagasaki The island - sometimes referred to as Battleship Island - is known for its undersea coal mines which were largely operated during the industrialisation of Japan it's believed that over 5,200 people lived on the tiny island - many of whom were conscripted Korean civilians and Chinese prisoners of war In 1930 until the end of World War II these prisoners were reportedly forced to under extremely harsh conditions and weren't paid for their labour The Mitsubishi Group bought the coal mines in 1890 to provide fuel for the country's growing shipbuilding industry a theatre and other facilities for miners and their families But this didn't change the fact that the miners were made to travel 3,000 feet below sea level in over 37°C temperatures each day, as per Business Insider With the gruelling working conditions in mind its said that 1,300 workers tragically died from starvation Severe respiratory sickness was also a common killer on the island as a result of the sea air mixed with the fumes that came from the mines Eventually the coal on Hashima Island ran dry is stands uninhabited and filled with derelict buildings just 10 miles off Nagasaki's coast Those who survived working at Hashima often refer to it as 'hell island' Tomoji Kobata worked on the island for a year when he was 24 years old and has since spoken of the 'backbreaking work' he and his fellow miners had to do Describing his role as 'one of the moles', Tomoji told The Guardian in 2015: "I mined coal and then helped break it up so that it could be taken off the island so I spent all of my free time sleeping." While Tomoji voluntarily went on the island Choi Jang-seop was one of the Korean miners who faced forced labour He compared his time on the Hashima as being like prison "I virtually lived a prison life on Hashima," he previously told the Yonhap News Agency "I feel horrendous and heavy whenever I recall the time when I worked at the bottom of coal mines while only wearing my underwear." The island reopened to the public in 2009 and has become a globally known attraction Several companies now offer tours around Hashima, where scenes from the James Bond movie Skyfall were filmed Topics: History, Travel, World News Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information National Report NAGASAKI—Hideo Kaji fondly recalls the harmony that helped to enable the most densely populated community in the world to survive and flourish Thousands of people lived in tightly packed accommodations on Hashima the coal mining isle that is also called Gunkanjima He later worked for 23 years in the coal mines of the island 15 marked 50 years since the mining operations were shut down in a grand ceremony The islet and other properties have been given UNESCO World Heritage status as Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution Hashima’s scenery long ago remains vivid for Kaji and other former islanders “The heart of the island lives inside me forever,” said Kaji “All those who resided there must feel the same way.” worked for a Mitsubishi affiliate responsible for mining operations Kaji walked to his kindergarten on the edge of the islet which measured 160 meters east to west and 480 meters north to south Kaji said he felt impressed by how “large this island is.” On the southwest side of the island was the No Japan’s first reinforced-concrete apartment Kaji spotted small buried shells in the playground on the rooftop He learned much later that oceanic sand was mixed with cement The boy always tried to watch the sun set below the sea horizon sending a bright red glow over the concrete buildings on Hashima After graduating from an elementary school on the island Kaji advanced to a junior high school and a senior high school in Nagasaki He lived by himself outside Hashima during those student days His father reached mandatory retirement age and was expected to leave Hashima under the mining company’s guidelines concerning former workers looked for work linked to the mine so his family could continue their lives on Hashima He returned to the island in 1951 and applied for a position at an engineering department to work outside the pit But there were no vacancies in the department so he ended up doing safety-procedure work inside the mining shaft He would ride an elevator down the vertical pit that was more than 600 meters deep The elevator cage’s maximum speed was 8 meters per second His duties included supplying air to every worksite within the mine and dealing with potentially explosive coal dust Kaji got married in 1959 when Hashima was thriving the islet with a circumference of 1.2 km reached a population peak of 5,300 residents Hashima’s density was nine times that of Tokyo and was described as the “world’s highest.” Many families were packed in a tight cluster of tall apartment buildings on the island A day-care center was set up on the top of a nine-story building A rooftop garden was added to provide residents a chance to come in contact with greenery on the mostly paved island a pachinko parlor and a cinema were also available on Hashima When Kaji started his career on the island the manager of the mine made an unforgettable statement “So many people live in the same sites and work in the same environment of the coal mine,” Kaji quoted the manager as saying Kaji said everyone on Hashima helped each other on a daily basis They cleaned apartment buildings in rotation and shared food with neighbors when supplies could not reach the isle due to rough seas Even mistakenly opening the door of the wrong home could be laughed off in Hashima’s cozy atmosphere “We all understood one another,” Kaji said “That kind of thing was unique to Hashima.” But an energy revolution soon spread across Japan installed oil-based boilers to replace the coal-powered ones for a communal bathhouse and an employee dormitory’s kitchen Kaji prepared himself for a “future where coal will no longer be needed.” Kaji found re-employment at a shipbuilder in Nagasaki “You did very well and you can rest in peace from here on.” Kaji believed his hometown would be reduced to a plain reef Hashima was included on the World Heritage list in 2015 The deserted island draws up to 300,000 sightseers annually Kaji showed a painting of Hashima at his current home in Nagasaki He has now spent more years outside Hashima than on the island But the lively ambience of the isle remains in Kaji’s mind “I cannot believe 50 years have already passed,” he said Kaji said he hopes people will be interested in not only what Hashima is like these days but also the history and life on the island Fishermen first unearthed coal on Hashima in 1810 The Mitsubishi group purchased the isle for 100,000 yen ($677 under current exchange rates) in 1890 for coal mining The densely arranged high-rises during the peak of the isle created a silhouette resembling the famed battleship Tosa The likeness earned Hashima the nickname of Battleship Island No residents have lived there since April 1974 after the mine halted operations for good in January that year presented Hashima to the now-defunct Takashima town free of charge in 2001 Japan refiles request to list divisive gold mine on UNESCO Dinosaur fossils on doorstep of Nagasaki dino museum Deteriorating structures on Battleship Island at risk of loss EDITORIAL: Japan should own up to dark chapters of its industrial past Korea moves to seek delisting from Japan’s UNESCO site Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) 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Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership Mixed boccia pair to face Hong Kong for Paralympic gold the Jeong-Kang pair will face in the final Hong Kong in mixed pair BC3 boccia 🌕 S-Tier food for Chuseok 🌕 | K-Cuisine Relay | Ep.28 Galbijjim & Samsaeknamul “Reading is so sexy!” — Headlined by The Guardian (UK)　| Balance Talk | Ep Korean German architect in Seoul seeks to innovate Hanok Grassroots group seeks to clean up trash from Jeju waters Polish capital hosts Korean cultural event at Breakfast Market Hanbok-clad children play traditional games President Yoon attends opening of Cyber Summit Korea Descendants of Korean War veterans attend event in Incheon Multicultural families attend Chuseok event Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol on the 79th Liberation Day Keynote Address by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the NATO Public Forum K-pop management innovation changes global music industry Korea-French friendship to drive future partnership Denmark's digital strategy to preserve global democracy 10th workshop of European Association for Korean Language Education (EAKLE) PNP launches TOP COP special class to enhance tourist safety K-Culture Extravaganza Lights Up Jozi: Korean Cultural Centre Unveils ‘Travelling Korea’ Korean Restaurant to open soon in Abuja-Envoy Jusung Gabriel Park & Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra Production Design: Scene Architects Build On-Screen Worlds which translates literally to ‘Battleship Island’ is one of 505 uninhabited islands in the Nagasaki Prefecture but is without a doubt the most significant but one place where this counterpoint between the peculiarities of human expansion and nature is felt lucidly is Hashima Island you instantly heed why it’s called ‘Battleship Island’ it looks exactly like a naval vessel of destruction and the inertia of its image suggests that it is one that refuses to be pulled into the deep blue depths of Davy Jones’ Locker The most striking feature is the sea wall that surrounds the island you’d also be forgiven for arguing that it looks like a mountain echoing the mysticism attached to Japan’s ancient history one of Earth’s many freckles that have now been plastered in the coarse grey foundation of concrete The 6.3 hectare (16-acre) island was principally used for its undersea coal mines right at the height of Japan’s industrialisation and the concurrent Meiji restoration Coal was first discovered there around 1810 it was operated as a seabed coal mining facility and it was under their direction that the coal started to be extracted from undersea mines this was a reflection of just how far Japan had come since the days of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the new possibilities that industrialisation promised to deliver it is estimated that 15.7 million tons of coal were excavated in the mines Hashima Island also represented a first for Japan the company erected the country’s first large reinforced concrete building to house the miners as their ranks were slowly swelling Given that Hashima is situated in an area notorious for its extreme weather concrete was used to protect against typhoon destruction This was to be the first real piece of modern Japanese civilisation making a marked effect on the island and even a pachinko parlour built over the next 55 years for the miners and their families to enjoy in their downtime Although it sounds as if some form of worker’s paradise was forming on Hashima Island when Imperial Japan was expanding across the rest of Asia until the end of the Second World War in 1945 were forced to work under extremely brutal conditions and faced horrific treatment at the facility as forced labourers under the country’s wartime mobilisation policies As was the case with many of those who worked as forced labourers for the Axis powers many of the conscripted died on the island due to various hazards Given just the opacity of records and how consecutive governments have attempted to sanitise the country’s Imperial history “I was always starving since I received very little food,” Joo, who was forced to work in the island’s steel mill in 1943, told the Associated Press the island rumbled on and reached its peak population o 5,259 in 1959 and the society that had first colonised the island were now drawing back as a shift in the global economy meant that Hashima Island was no longer a powerhouse the coal reserves were nearly depleted after over 100 years of mining and the island was left an abandoned concrete wasteland for three decades just on a much smaller scale and without the radiation It is important to note that Hashima wasn’t the only coal mine to shut down as it was a trend occurring worldwide as the world was entering a new epoch interest in the island grew in the 2000s due to the haunting nature of its undisturbed ruins Travel was re-opened to the island in April 2009 after 35 long years of closure It stands as a symbol of both Japan’s remarkable industrialisation and the horrors it enacted during the Second World War If you feel like you’ve seen Hashima Island before, that’s because you have. It was used as the lair of the villain Raoul Silva in 2012’s James Bond entry, Skyfall The spectre of evil that covers the island is tangible and is perfect for a Bond villain bent on revenge and destruction An incredible piece of Japanese, Korean and Chinese history, Hashima Island is a must-visit for anyone wanting to understand the area’s past. You can find more information here Testimonies from reliable sources make it clear this historical truth has been distorted.The revelation that the footage was filmed after the war undermines a significant portion of the South Korean claims It is compelling evidence to refute the unjust accusations which should be acknowledged and corrected by Japan and South Korea The program in question, titled Island Without Green (緑なきの島) It was a 20-minute short film depicting the lives of people on Hashima Island. On June 19, NHK officials explained the details in a meeting with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) The footage depicting scenes from inside the mine was apparently filmed in 1955 NHK's response to this discovery is unsatisfactory They should also have proactively communicated this fact to the public through news broadcasts and other channels their lack of initiative is evident.An investigatory report containing this information was sent by NHK to the Island Residents' Association two years ago to the group whose members are former residents of Hashima Island the recent report to the LDP was kept confidential. Acting as though the issue can be resolved by these actions alone would be disingenuous It is crucial for NHK to promptly broadcast a program verifying the true facts the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) received this footage from NHK It then aired a program titled History Special: Hell Island South Korea's National Museum of Forced Mobilization Under Japanese Occupation screened a shortened version of the KBS program in 2020 And NHK's footage was also utilized by the Korean television station MBC NHK responded to inquiries from The Sankei Shimbun stating that they have made two requests to KBS seeking confirmation of the status of the NHK footage they asked whether KBS provided the film to the National Museum of Forced Mobilization or to MBC. The Japanese broadcast giant further emphasized the need to prevent unauthorized use or external distribution it is important to provide more detailed information including the response from the South Korean side Former island residents have raised doubts about both the film's timing and the location of the footage. They say the film footage is not from the Hashima Coal Mine. a film titled Gunkanjima was screened in South Korea The Japanese government must fulfill its duty to provide a strong and fact-based rebuttal (Read the editorial in Japanese.) You must be logged in to post a comment All Headlines North Korea Sports Top News Most Viewed Korean Newspaper Headlines Today in Korean History Yonhap News Summary Editorials from Korean Dailies July 27 (Yonhap) -- "I really don't know how I managed to survive looking back now .. I can't talk about it," one of the Korean survivors of the infamous forced labor in the coal mines on Japan's Hashima Island during the colonial era said on Thursday when a South Korean film on the dark history hit screens nationwide "There's no such heinous people as the Japanese," Choi Jang-seop said during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at a Seoul-based foundation for Koreans who were mobilized for forced work at Japanese coal mines steel mills and shipyards under harsh conditions during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-45) He shuddered upon hearing the name of the island whose nickname is "Battleship Island" in Japanese The nickname came from its resemblance to the Japanese battleship Tosa "I virtually lived a prison life on Hashima I feel horrendous and heavy whenever I recall the time when I worked at the bottom of coal mines while only wearing my underwear," said Choi who was forcibly taken to Japan at the age of 15 in 1943 18 kilometers from the southern Japanese port city of Nagasaki which was Japan's largest munitions company extracted coal from the island by making use of forced Korean and Chinese laborers 58,000 Koreans forcibly worked at 23 coal mines some 800 Koreans were taken to the island between 1939-1945 with 134 of them dying while working there Most of the Korean workers extracted coal from deep inside the mines or filled in gaps created by the excavation to prevent tunnels from collapsing Choi Jang-seop speaks about his forced labor on Japan's Hashima Island during an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on July 27 Japanese superintendents used to tell Choi Falling rocks smash people in the head all the time." he was hospitalized after falling rocks badly hurt his head "We ate only a hunk of rice ball while working a double shift for 12 hours a day It's not once or twice that I felt bitter about my motherland," Choi said Some of the forced Korean laborers tried to escape from the island also called "Prison Island" or "Hell Island," to no avail there is no record of workers who succeeded in breaking out from the island "There was a small island next to Hashima It's called a 'crematory' as people who died while working or escaping from Hashima were cremated there," Hashima survivor Lee In-woo said "I was conscripted by the Japanese army when I turned 20 after working at the mines on Hashima for about eight months 'I'm saved now,' when entering the army as the work on the island was so hard," the 92-year-old said Japan pushed for the listing of the island as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 insisting it's a symbol of its industrialization asserting it's a shameful site notorious for forced labor The island was finally included on the Heritage List in July 2015 through a compromise between South Korea and Japan at a World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting in Germany in which a Japanese government representative acknowledged that a large number of Koreans and others were brought against their will and "forced to work under harsh conditions" in the 1940s at some of the sites Japan also promised to set up a sign stating the fact that forced labor occurred on the island before December this year But the Japanese government changed its stance right after the listing "The remark of 'forced to work under harsh conditions' by the Japanese representative did not mean 'forced labor.'" There has yet to be any news on the establishment of the sign with the deadline just about five months away In designating Hashima as a heritage site the WHC launched a system to monitor whether Japan will keep its promise and will assess it during its session next year "I think Japan will set up the sign because the listing can be called off unless it keeps its promise," said Kim Yong-bong Hashima has become a major tourist attraction since it became a heritage site the South Korean-made film "The Battleship Island" set a new opening day record at the local box office attracting more than 970,000 moviegoers Thursday So Ji-sub and Hwang Jung-min is about an attempted prison break from the forced labor camp on Hashima.(END) All News National Economy/Finance Biz Culture/K-pop Images Videos Korean Newspaper Headlines Korea in Brief Useful Links Weather Advertise with Yonhap News Agency A year has passed since the Industrial Heritage Information Center (IHIC) was launched in Shinjuku South Korea has not ceased its criticism of the portrayal of Hashima Island in Nagasaki which promotes Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution South Korea claims that “many Koreans were forcibly mobilized (to work in coal mines) and died” there during the 1930s and 1940s The criticism continues despite the efforts of IHIC Managing Director Koko Kato who has gathered over 100,000 primary materials including testimonies from former residents of Hashima Island the center has become a focal point for history-related disputes between Japan and South Korea Six years have passed since Hashima Island was approved as a world heritage site in 2015 yet the IHIC continues to be targeted by the South Korean government About 1 week after the IHIC opened to the public in June 2020 South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha sent a letter to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay saying that the IHIC’s explanations concerning people from the former Korean Peninsula were insufficient. Kang Kyung-wha asked Azoulay to consider removing Hashima Island’s world heritage site status The then- foreign minister also asked for greater cooperation from Japan No action was taken in 2020 due to COVID-19 UNESCO plans to send an inspector to the IHIC “I want UNESCO to judge using accurate information Japan’s and South Korea’s opinions on the issue are completely different Japan’s sovereignty is a factor when judging history,” says Kato the IHIC has included work from Japan-based academic Park Kyung-sik who spread his “forced mobilization” theory (on Hashima’s coal mines) across Japan and South Korea the voices and documents on the “truth about Hashima Island” provided by former island residents overwhelms the stance of South Korea As a leading researcher in the field of world industrial heritage Kato promoted Meiji-era industrial revolution sites to gain world heritage status and sites related to recruitment on the Korean Peninsula that were under Japanese rule (1940s) were exempt Hashima Island – which was purchased for its coal mines by Mitsubishi Mining in 1890 – was included and subsequently became a world heritage site this has also resulted in the IHIC becoming a controversial site “For about 6 years (since the world heritage moment) we have collected all kinds of primary materials and released information such as testimonies by former islanders in Japanese “There are some errors in the anti-Japan activists’ understanding of history,” Kato says we think it is important to release primary materials.” the South Korean media has criticized Kato saying that “they are a front for conservative groups in Japan.” There are 1,300 documents and photos on Hashima Island on display at the IHIC the center has more than 100,000 items – donated by individuals and companies since the center opened Many of the documents are related to the Korean Peninsula and are said to “shine a light on the darkness of history.” RELATED: Spotlight on Japan’s Industrial Heritage, Wartime Past at Newly-Opened Information Center NHK made a documentary on Hashima Island that turned out to be fabricated in that some of the shots were of coal mines in a different location This revelation came to light following testimonies made by former islanders The island became famous due to footage of workers wearing loincloths and mining for coal in narrow spaces highlighting “the cruel labor conditions on ‘Hell Island’ endured by people from the Korean Peninsula.” The imagery was also used by a history museum in Busan Kato says that she found out about the “Greenless Island” documentary by accident It became apparent that former islanders had looked at the coal-mine footage commenting: “That is obviously not Hashima!” The interior of the mines looked totally different to those in Hashima The heights of the coal layers were different and the workers were not wearing the cap lamps that were worn in Hashima The workers in the TV program were wearing loincloths but in Hashima they wore work clothes All of this violated the safety regulations of the day It is possible that NHK avoided filming in coal mines in Hashima due to the dangerous gaseous conditions the shots of nearly-naked workers gave the false impression to the world that workers from the Korean Peninsula had undergone forced labor on “Hell Island.” a group of former islanders demanded a truthful account of history and submitted a written protest to NHK They pointed out the untruthful nature of the program demanded an investigation as well as the truth stating: “It has not been confirmed that a different coal mine was used for the program.” the Japanese politicians Shigeharu Aoyama and Hiroshi Yamada have continued to ask questions about the issue in the Diet This led to the NHK President Terunobu Maeda promising that the matter would be investigated he refused to involve any former islanders in the process RELATED: Fake Images, False Claims: Gunkanjima Natives Fact-Check South Korea on Forced Labor there is the extreme view that conscripted workers were prisoners of war A West German newspaper once wrote that ‘1,000 people were trapped and killed’ (in Hashima) NHK has to take responsibility for creating this distorted image the National Congress of Industrial Heritage released a series of research books on the truth about wartime Korean labor who is also a guest professor at Reitaku University and the writing team includes two historians and two lawyers the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation We have written about all of this in our research books,” says Nishioka RELATED: [Wartime Laborers] series, at this link who has analyzed research books on the issue of conscripted labor 109 out of 1,357 literary sources describe the labor as not being “forced mobilization” or “forced labor,” whereas the vast majority describe it as “forced mobilization.” It is thought that the General Association of Korean residents in Japan have spread the notion that the labor was “forced mobilization.” “History is something that looks for a rationale I believe that it is my duty to contribute materials from the center that can be used for further research,” says Kato This process of verification has only just begun. (Find access to The Sankei Shimbun report in Japanese at this link.) You must be logged in to post a comment I paid a visit to Japan’s Industrial Heritage Information Center Located in the annex on the first floor of the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications building in Shinjuku the center was created after the Japanese government registered key locations of Japan’s industrialization during the Meiji period The Japanese government pledged it would allow for an understanding of the “full history” of each site While the government should be widely promoting this facility for some reason it has been kept under tight security with visits requiring a reservation in advance for the past three years and no photos allowed inside The renewed attention to this exclusive facility comes after the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Sept 14 removed much of the criticism it had heaped on Japan two years ago in its decision on “follow-up measures” to be taken by the Japanese government regarding Hashima Island also known as Gunkanjima or “Battleship Island,” a site of forced labor by Koreans the committee cited the fact that some of the exhibits at the center had changed Hankyoreh visited the center on Wednesday to see what had changed and how The 1,078-square-meter Industrial Heritage Information Center is divided into three main exhibition areas After passing through exhibits outlining Japan’s industrial heritage (Zone 1) and industrialization (Zone 2) a site of much contention between South Korea and Japan over the past eight years the World Heritage Committee praised the fact that there is now a place where visitors can read remarks made by the representatives of the Korean and Japanese governments during the World Heritage nomination process by scanning a QR code Scanning the QR code brought up a link to a video of the committee meeting in July 2015 when the listing of Hashima and other World Heritage sites was decided the Korean ambassador for cultural and UNESCO affairs “Japan is prepared to take measures that allow an understanding that there were a large number of Koreans and others who were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions in the 1940s at some of the sites the government of Japan also implemented its policy of requisition,” Sato said in her remarks and the lack of Japanese subtitles raises questions of how well visitors would be able to understand the message the delegates were conveying UNESCO also recognized the newly installed TV monitor display titled “To Remember the Victims,” located directly next to the QR code Based on a “security bulletin” and “security diary” created by the Hashima coal mine and 4 others — died in collapsed mines on the island between November 1941 and November 1944 The exhibition refers to the dangerous working conditions in coal mines at the time and emphasizes that Japanese and South Koreans faced the same hardships The Japanese government had promised to take appropriate measures to honor the Korean victims who were forced to labor in harsh conditions against their will but this has been changed to include all those who died in the mines exhibits have been added that rewrite history in a way that makes it appear that there was no discrimination against Koreans There were a number of paycheck envelopes and salary records for Kim Tae-jo a Korean laborer who had worked at the Harima Shipyard in Hyogo Prefecture between 1941 and 1945 after being forcibly mobilized Kim’s highest take-home pay is recorded as 214 yen in April 1945 the basic salary for young bureaucrats who passed Imperial Japan’s Higher Civil Service Examinations was 75 to 100 yen” — essentially claiming that Korean laborers were treated as well as elite Japanese civil servants How much of this is “substantial truth” will require investigation but the fact is that Harima Shipyard isn’t even on the list of 23 modern Japanese industrial facilities listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites This is the same as claiming that the labor conditions of a particular company were stellar while flaunting a paycheck from a completely different workplace there was very little information about the horrific history of forced labor and extreme discrimination that Korean victims of forced labor experienced on Hashima Island Pieces that appeared to deny this history were displayed in the most prominent locations of the exhibition the honorary chairman for the Hashima Islanders for Historical Truth no one made any distinction between Koreans or Chinese We all needed to bond together to complete our jobs.” expressed feeling “beloved” and cared for by those around him on Hashima seemingly denying that there was any discrimination against or ill treatment of Koreans Also noticeable was some content critical of Sato’s remarks One exhibit entitled “Gunkanjima Is Our Home” responded to the Japanese UNESCO ambassador’s 2015 comments by suggesting there was “too little effort by the Japanese government to accurately refute them.” One of the reasons that UNESCO positively rated Japan’s efforts despite the changes for the worse in terms of exhibition content is that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in South Korea has not made diplomatic efforts to correct Japan’s historical distortions — instead maintaining an approach of making unilateral concessions on historical issues and other sensitive matters During his predecessor Moon Jae-in’s administration not only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but even the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism adopted an adamant stance in attempting to steer changes in Japan’s attitude Amid the new South Korean government’s hands-off approach Japan invited UNESCO officials to Tokyo twice — in January and August of this year — to actively explain what they were working to achieve Commenting on the latest decision in an appearance on Japan’s NHK network an unnamed UNESCO source said that “recently improving relations between Japan and South Korea had given momentum to the adoption of the resolution.” Japan did not consult closely with South Korea on the changes in exhibition content South Korea was stuck helplessly observing the developments from the sidelines An official with Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said that Japan had “begun taking action to honor its pledge,” adding that Seoul would “continue demanding that things like testimony about forced labor [by Koreans] be included.” Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr] 2014© Robert Harding World Imagery / AlamySave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links the population density of our planet is about 124—that is 124 people living on each square mile of land there are only about 4.5 people per square mile packed chock-a-block with high-rise hotels It's more than ten thousand times as crowded the most densely populated place on Earth was a Japanese island nine miles off of Nagasaki it would be hard to imagine any place lonelier 505 uninhabited islands dot the Sea of Japan was purchased by Mitsubishi Motors in 1890 when coal was discovered there The company built a giant rectangular seawall around the island the island is still called Gunkanjima in Japanese—"Battleship Island." were built to house the army of workers that Hashima's mine required on a footprint smaller than many sports stadiums That gave the island a population density of over 216,000 residents per square mile more crowded than any other island in the world Japan's coal industry had collapsed due to the country's switch to petroleum the entire island was completely deserted: a vertical concrete ghost town where desks still sat in schoolrooms The government banned travel to the decaying urban wasteland Japan began to allow visitors to return to Hashima and enjoy its eerie crumbling landscape—though most of the island is still off-limits for safety reasons The abandoned towers were even used for long shots of the villain's Chinese lair where Javier Bardem's character captures James Bond in the most recent 007 film Most moviegoers would never have believed they were looking at the ruins of what was once the busiest place on Earth up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC "I always deal with every day as one step forward to reaching my endless dreams." That's how Ahmed Abou Hashima, founder of Egyptian Steel describes how he goes about his tasks on a daily basis Abou Hashima is active in philanthropy as the founder of Abou Hashima El Kheir Foundation and in politics as the Vice President of the Republican People's Party as well as Deputy Chairman of its Industrial and Internal Trading Committee One thing should be clear here from the outset- all of his roles require long working days but Abou Hashima rarely feels that he "worked 15 hours continuously." He adds and they make me work all day without boredom or exhaustion." the first of these dreams was to introduce new lifeblood into the steel industry in Egypt the result of this dream is the Egyptian Steel Group an umbrella company for the Industrial Investment Company (IIC) operating in the field of steel plants management and National Port Said Steel (NPSS) which run two of the largest steel plants in the regionin Beni Suef Governorate and in Suez Governorate (Al Ain Al Sokhna) high-quality steel out of its four major plants which have a total production capacity of 2.3 million tons per year thereby "contributing a lot to the Egyptian economy," Abou Hashima says "When I decided to enter the field of steel trade and that my success in this field would be only the beginning of my work on a project of my dreams when I established the two plants [in Beni Suef Governorate and in Suez Governorate] I considered it just as achieving one of my goals which I believe will lead me to new success." "You should have a clear goal," Abou Hashima says "Do not be afraid of any area which you decide to enter as long as you are confident with your feasibility study and business plan You should be very well prepared for this project so be familiar with the details of expenditure It is with the same mindset that the steel entrepreneur approaches another area he is committed to: philanthropy. While he is no stranger to being engaged with philanthropic initiatives, Abou Hashima's passion for paying it forward was formalized in the Abou Hashima El Kheir Foundation The foundation is engaged in various charitable initiatives especially in the community development domain I have been supporting entities that serve citizens which launched the largest food convoy in the history of humanity Food Bank and other national entities helping the most needy people in Egypt I also launched my own initiative "Revamping The Most Needy Villages in Egypt,' of which I'm very proud because we have already redeveloped more than 17 villages all over the country." Abou Hashima is a proud supporter of the Youth Leaders Foundation which roams Egyptian provinces to select young talented Egyptians who have the potential to be groomed to become the future leaders of Egypt Related: Crypto Czar: Velas Co-Founder Alex Alexandrov Is All About Being Ahead Of The Curve Entering politics seems as a continuation of his work to date since Abou Hashima considers that the primary goal of any politician is only to serve his/her country The decision to start his political career developed organically a few years ago "I supported several movements after the June 30 Revolution (2013) led by young Egyptians and although one of these movements turned into a major political party in Egypt (Nation's Future Party) and my goal was only to support these young people," he says as he was unsure about people's perception of businessmen getting into politics- but he's since had a change of heart "The economic and security situation has stabilized thanks to the wise and strong political leadership decisions over the past few years I was totally convinced that it was the right time to officially enter the political life and to actively help the country and its economic plans," he says he became the Vice President of the Republican People's Party a Member of the Senate and Deputy Chairman of its Industrial and Internal Trading Committee because of its good reputation in the Egyptian political circles the party's young members were a big plus that encouraged me to join the party My ambition for my party is that it becomes one of the top two players in the Egyptian political arena and to be well prepared for the upcoming electoral elections in order to achieve a better position among other Egyptian political parties." In every area of his work, Abou Hashima obviously remains a firm believer that supporting young people especially by developing their entrepreneurial skills is a lifeline for Egypt and other Arab countries And that is perhaps why his advice for youth in the country is centered on ignoring the fear of failure- according to Abou Hashima there are no real failures in the business world "There are only economic studies that have profit and loss possibilities because that is simply the nature of business in which there is profit and loss," he explains then you should look for an exit with the least loss The lesson learned from such situations is that you should not stop when you fall or lose take it as a step that pushes you to work harder and re-evaluate the situation before embarking on any new project in order to avoid greater losses in the future." Related: Working On Tomorrow: Alanoud Al Hashmi, CEO, The Futurist Company Ahmed Abou Hashima's tips for entrepreneurs Make a game plan for yourself "Set specific goals and determine the steps to achieve each of them." Hurdles are part of the journey- just run with them "Do not hurry to succeed and do not worry about mistakes- but correct them quickly 3. Get people to back you (and your vision) up "Build a team who have the same ambitions and goals as you do stay focused "Renew your ambitions regularly Related: Leading From The Front: Ferit Şahenk, Chairman And CEO, Doğuş Group Tamara Pupic is the Managing Editor of Entrepreneur Middle East We'll be in your inbox every morning Monday-Saturday with all the day’s top business news best advice and exclusive reporting from Entrepreneur One photographer, Kevin Dooley has documented the entire island — and it's pretty spectacular People first settled Hashima because of nearby coal resources The Mitsubishi Group bought the island in 1890 to use it as a base for coal extraction from the sea. Dooley used Google Street View to find and capture some of the most enchanting parts of the old factory It gives everyone a chance to tour where more than 5,000 people once lived and worked. The article was originally written by Joshua Barrie Kanagawa Prefecture--Suh Jung-woo was only 14 when he was taken to Hashima island off Nagasaki during World War II and made to work in a coal mine recalled of his misery in an interview in 1985 “I ate 20 percent unpolished rice and 80 percent bean cake as well as sardines cooked whole in an iron pot Documentary footage shot by film director Park Soo-nam is being restored for digital archiving to keep alive the experiences of about 100 people she interviewed mostly first-generation Korean residents in Japan like Suh “My films contain the ‘han’ of the first-generation Koreans,” Park citing the keyword of Korean culture that is typically translated as resentment The Koreans who appear in her films include survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Japan wartime laborers and former “comfort women,” who were forced to provide sex for Japanese soldiers during World War II The Korean Peninsula was under Japan’s colonial rule from 1910 through the country’s defeat in the war in 1945 A team of workers started from the oldest of Park’s footage from 1985 and has already restored about 10 percent of all the films “I attempted many times to jump into the sea believing I would be happier if I had died,” Suh Suh was reassigned to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.’s Nagasaki shipyard & machinery works in Nagasaki after working on Hashima He was exposed to the blast of the atomic bomb while he was working there on Aug She began interviewing first-generation Korean residents in Japan in 1965 atomic bombing of the city initially would not tell her anything Park moved into what was known as the “atomic bomb slum,” where those survivors lived and worked with them at the sites of unemployment relief projects She was finally able to hear their experiences She also interviewed people who had been forced to work at coal mines on Battleship Island and in the Chikuho Coalfield in Fukuoka Prefecture she only recorded their voices on cassette tapes and published their oral testimonies in books realized one thing while she was doing her research “Many of my (Korean) compatriots spoke poor Japanese and could not say in words what they had in their minds,” she said I had no way to express that in written text.” She decided to exchange her pen and tape recorder for a film camera Park began using a film camera in 1985 and shot about 50 hours of interviews and other footage on 16-millimeter film through 1991 They contain interviews with more than 100 people including Koreans who got caught up in the Battle of Okinawa and former Japanese soldiers who knew firsthand wartime front-line facilities where comfort women worked Only about 10 percent of all the footage was used in Park’s movies with the remaining 90 percent never made public The films have deteriorated over the course of more than three decades They were in danger of becoming unplayable unless something was done immediately Work started in August 2019 to restore the films at the initiative of Park’s daughter Ma-eui Her team of workers called for donations on a crowdfunding platform and met the goal of raising 5.6 million yen ($54,100) which allowed them to take an initial step toward digitization The process requires converting the video and audio parts both into digital form and bringing them together “The footage is filled with live voices and the suffering of first-generation Koreans who had to live through hard times,” said Ma-eui “We should not let them become buried in oblivion.” Ma-eui and her colleagues plan to edit restored pieces of footage about Battleship Island and adapt them into a movie in 2021 They will also continue organizing unpublished pieces of footage into works and archiving them in subsequent years who were deprived of their nation (under Japan’s colonial rule) “I believe it is my job to express their silence that has yet to take the shape of words.” an associate professor of cinema studies with the Nagoya University Graduate School of Humanities said that cases abound in the world of the restoration of films containing oral testimonies He cited the example of Claude Lanzmann’s 220 hours of footage about the Holocaust by Nazi Germany Holocaust Memorial Museum after being restored over 20 years or so Lanzmann is the director of “Shoah,” a super-long documentary film on the same subject “Park’s footage is historically significant in the broader context of being the records of emigrants which goes far beyond the framework of ethnic Koreans in Japan,” Ogawa said Nike Japan ad on discrimination draws applause and outrage Japanese wife of North Korean seeks visit home after 60 years Osaka museum to list Korean air raid victims by ethnic names Korea University students shut out of COVID-19 financial support UNESCO's World Heritage Committee on Thursday adopted a resolution stating that Japan has failed to provide a sufficient explanation regarding the Korean victims of wartime forced labor at a Tokyo information center on industrial locations listed as World Cultural Heritage sites The adoption of the resolution came during a virtual session of the committee that started on Friday The resolution concerned the exhibition at the Industrial Heritage Information Center on Koreans who were forced to work in the Hashima Coal Mine off Nagasaki The center featuring the locations grouped as Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution opened in Tokyo in 2020 with the support of the Japanese government based on recommendations made by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization since 2015 when the sites were inscribed on the World Heritage list the committee said it had inspected the center in June and found it did not have sufficient exhibits to inform visitors about the Korean victims of wartime forced labor expressing strong regrets over Japan's failure to carry out its promise The committee also urged Japan to improve the exhibits so that visitors understand that a number of Koreans were forced to engage in hard labor in the Hashima Coal Mine also known as "Battleship Island," against their will It also called for Japan to report back to the committee by December next year regarding measures to improve the exhibits South Korea's Foreign Ministry said the resolution was significant as the international community had confirmed that Japan has not implemented its promise to provide a sufficient explanation about the Korean victims of forced labor South Korea has also criticized Japan for distorting facts about the forced labor as the center presents the testimony of a former resident of the island where the Hashima Coal Mine was located who said there was no discriminatory treatment of the Korean workers Japan is not a member of the 21-nation committee during the current term and cannot participate in its discussions or adoption of documents the Japanese Foreign Ministry's director general for cultural affairs attended the online session as an observer When the Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution were added to the World Cultural Heritage list in 2015 Japan promised that it would explain the situation surrounding the Korean wartime workers based on an understanding that they were "brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions." Japan to rebut UNESCO request over Korean labor at World Heritage sites South Korea group supports UNESCO's urge on Japan over forced labor Japan hits back against S. Korean criticism on World Heritage sites To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox, subscribe here. Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription. Please check your inbox for a confirmation email. If you wish to change your message, press 'Cancel' to go back and edit. Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible. 'Many times we would enter huge art deco buildings with once-beautiful chandeliers ornate columns and extraordinary frescoes and everything was crumbling and covered in dust and the sense that you had entered a lost world was almost overwhelming." These are the words of the French photographer Yves Marchand who, with Romain Meffre, created one of the most talked-about photography books of recent times, The Ruins of Detroit It portrayed the once-great American industrial city as a kind of lost world "the magnificence of the past is everywhere evident" In terms of our current collective fascination with abandoned places the publication of The Ruins of Detroit was a tipping point the moment when a curiosity turned into an obsession as a cursory Google search of "abandoned places" will attest where newly discovered abandoned places are constantly photographed and the results shared via websites Jared Leto ("bizarrely beautiful") Jeremy Vine ("ace") and Bianca Jagger ("fascinating") while writers such as Margaret Atwood and Anne Rice have also expressed their fascination with empty buildings it is not hard to see why many of the images on these sites exert such a hold on the collective imagination As the adjectives most often used to describe them – nostalgic there is something paradoxically beautiful particularly ones that were once baroquely magnificent An abandoned military gymnasium in Brandenburg Photograph: Thomas JorionMany of the ruined mansions exert the same sort of fascination as certain passages from Victorian or gothic literature – Dickens's evocation of Miss Havisham's crumbling house in Great Expectations Mervyn Peake's descriptions of the labyrinthine halls and corridors of Gormenghast castle – while suggesting the decline and fall of great families or dynasties just as certain descriptive passages in Ballard's 1962 novel The Drowned World – about a flooded future London – seemed to prefigure the fate of New Orleans after the levees broke in 2005 do many of these photographs presage our own increasingly real fears about global economic meltdown and the increasing ecological fragility of a planet that we have ravaged relentlessly for its natural resources If this kind of desolation can happen to a major American city low-lying buildings arranged around an ominously gaping hole in the Earth's surface do post-apocalyptic sci-fi landscapes better than anyone else the photographs of desolate urban landscapes speak of more real than imagined fates The crumbling interiors of once bustling civic buildings – hospitals of the indiscriminate thrust of global capitalism More melancholy still are the ruins of our once-stately pleasure domes and dream palaces: cinemas their giant wheels and snaking rollercoasters now silent and still as weeds and tall grasses sprout around their stalls The dereelict Gulliver's Kingdom theme park in the shadow of Mount Fuji, Japan. Photograph: Martin Mandias Lyle/oldcreeper.comSomewhere in Japan, the wind whistles though a vast bowling alley where the balls sit motionless, casting long shadows across a floor cluttered with debris. In the shadow of Mount Fuji, a giant Gulliver lies forever tethered to the ground in a disused theme park his skin and clothes fading in the elements to the muted colours of the surrounding landscape whose images of post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans are powerful disturbing and somewhat unsettling in their artful beauty Polidori was dubbed "a connoisseur of chaos" by the New York Times's always astute art critic, Michael Kimmelman who also noted how "the beauty of his pictures – they have a languid almost underwater beauty – entails locating order in bedlam" His unforgettable images of a ruined New Orleans are devoid of people on the often-surreal wreckage – houses moved across streets by the tidal surge interiors that seem suddenly old and decayed as a result of flood damage Kimmelman concedes that "it is only human to feel uneasy about admiring pictures like these… whose sumptuousness can be disorienting", which gets close to the heart of paradox of these images. The late John Updike, in a review of Polidori's book, After the Flood "After the Flood is an opulent volume and difficult to manipulate anywhere but on a coffee table It weighs nearly 10lbs and costs $90; a consumeristic paradox hovers over the existence of so costly a volume portraying the reduction of a mostly poor urban area… to a state of desertion and deeper destitution Though the contemplation of ruins is a long tradition in art and architecture, for some critics, these contemporary images are simply "ruin porn": an aestheticising of urban decay that elevates the beauty of the bleak over the complex socioeconomic reasons for such dramatic urban decline. In his fascinating social history, The Last Days of Detroit local writer Mark Binelli touched on this seductive nature of once grand and now derelict buildings "For all the local complaints about ruin porn outsiders were not alone in their fascination multi-course gourmet meals… in abandoned buildings… John and his buddies played ice hockey on the frozen floors of decrepit factories… Travis was hired to shoot suburban wedding photographs in the ruins of the old Packard plant." Herein perhaps lies something of the true nature of our fascination with abandoned places: they allow us to look at without actually experiencing the human cost That there are no people in these photographs is delicate and poignant beauty of architecture when the distracting presence of human inhabitants is eliminated from photographs" he is working in a documentary landscape tradition but one that grows ever more formal and detached Marchand and Meffre have since gone on to document the abandoned island city of Hashima in a book called Gunkanjima Only 40 years ago Hashima which was nicknamed Gunkanjima or Battleship for its shape like a ship was the most densely populated place in the world Five thousand people lived in the labyrinthine streets of the tiny island many working in the coal mine whose excavated slag formed the foundations of a densely packed town that grew upwards the last resident returned to the mainland a shrine and several shops and restaurants made all the more so when you see the old photographs taken when it was inhabited that punctuate their book overcrowded community in which he lived and worked It is the ghostly presences of these people that stalk the abandoned streets shops and houses of Hashima as photographed by Marchand and Meffre a rusting child's bicycle – that haunt the images of this now empty place We seem increasingly fascinated by what is left behind – ruins empty shells; the beautifully decayed surface of things But it is the people that left who are the real context for these photographs they are just bleakly and romantically beautiful visually seductive but empty of real meaning This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025 The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media Focus on Japan An aerial view taken from a drone shows the partially collapsed Building No JAPAN >> A building on Nagasaki’s “Battleship Island,” a registered World Heritage Site since 2015 that had partially collapsed following heavy rains earlier this year sustained further damage after Typhoon Haishen passed through Japan on Sept is one of the country’s earliest reinforced concrete buildings It is among the structures that give the island a battleship-like appearance 57-foot-high structure was once an apartment building for miners A portion of the exterior walls and beams of the fourth to seventh floors have vanished a beam between the third and fourth floors fell The structure also has areas of exposed rusted steel According to the Nagasaki municipal government heavy rains caused the collapse on the building’s south side on March 27 and its west side on June 11 and 12 Officials believe the concrete absorbed water and collapsed under its own weight “The building collapsed from the inside making it impossible to put up scaffolding to make repairs,” a spokesperson said The island was once the base of operations for an undersea coal mine High-rise buildings made from reinforced concrete were adopted there before any other part of the country Structures included apartment buildings used as company housing which helped Japan cope with a growing population The mine was closed in 1974 and its population left soon after including former elementary and junior high schools Most of the structures have long passed their lifespan of about 50 to 60 years and the deterioration of the concrete is severe “The value of the World Heritage site has not been affected because the oldest of the buildings are from the Taisho era (1912-1926),” said an official from the Cabinet Secretariat which presides over the Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel a set of relevant World Heritage sites in Japan a Japanese history specialist and director general of the Fukuoka City Museum “The reason Hashima was introduced as a symbol of (Japan’s) industrial revolution era is its warship-like appearance,” he said “Measures to prevent deterioration should be … implemented as soon as possible.” The Industrial Heritage Information Centre in Tokyo with veteran and activist Ku Yon-chol at a cafe in Busan on Aug Abandoned concrete apartments in Hashima Island in October 2020 contestant Ed Hashima has won Tuesday's episode with big numbers The bowtie-boasting professor didn't know he had to buzz in on a clue, throwing Ken Jennings and viewers at home for a loop Ed, a community college history professor from Sacramento, California, was picking up steam in the Double Jeopardy! round He picked the $1200 clue under the category “International Cinema Showcase," which was a video clue Alongside a photo of the actress it was about the clue read “Bérénice Bejo played 1920s actress Peppy Miller in this 2011 multi-Oscar winner from France.” Ken, 49, nervously replied: “Somebody could," as it wasn't a special question. “Oh,” Ed said and then proceeded to buzz in. He put his hand up to his forehead and exclaimed: “Oh my goodness!” aware of the slight stumble Game show fans took to Reddit as confused as Ed was One person wrote: “Was the question about 'The Artist' a re-take or some such Ed wasn't sure if he needed to actually buzz in or not Very odd moment in the game for such a strong player A third wrote: “I think he momentarily got confused and thought he had hit a Daily Double he wasn't sure if the clue was just for him.” Ed, who initially lost to fan-favorite Sam Buttrey in the 2021 Professor's Tournament, also made clear there were no hard feelings by wielding Sam's signature catchphrase, "Bring It!". Ed had schooled his foes with a runaway or ensured win- he had $29600 having correctly gotten the last two Daily Doubles a technical solutions engineer from Madison a high school English teacher from Saint Louis Final Jeopardy under: "TELEVISION" read: "This series grew out of a screenplay titled 'Murdoch'." No one could guess it was HBO's "Succession," with some Redditors saying they were "surprised," others arguing the clue was vague "While the show was critically acclaimed it wasn't the kind of huge hit that would make its background details very well known to the general public," another internet user wrote Others were happy Ed won and will advance to the semifinals of the tournament And: "BIG 'BOW TIE'D SAID: 'I have to ring in?'" with a cry-laugh emoji Champions Wildcard consists of past players from Season 37 or Season 38 getting a second shot at glory There will be four winners by the time it ends on December 18 The lengthy new-to-Season 40 tournament saw the upbeat Emily Sands clinching the second crown on November 8 She joined Matt Saak (who won the first group) in earning $100,000, and going on to the next Tournament of Champions. After its third winner prevails on November 28 the slate will be wiped clean for one more round has relied on placeholder programming given Hollywood's since-resolved strikes dividing fans and contestants who want new contestants back will finally get into the tournaments they wanted the big season 40 to start with There will be a Second Chance Tournament for last year's most snubbed nonwinners a Champions Wildcard for the best brief winners of last year and finally the actual Tournament of Champions Then there will be the Jeopardy Invitational Tournament which will be a precursor to Jeopardy! Masters. At that point, returning champion Lucas Partridge who won the last non-tournament game in July 2023 will return- as theoretically, will a still-missing Mayim Bialik after nearly a year off 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned entrepreneur Ahmed Abou Hashima has revealed plans for a groundbreaking agri-food industrial complex set to become the largest in the Middle East With a significant investment of up to $300 million the project is being undertaken in collaboration with a foreign investor in the presence of key dignitaries including Dr the CEO of the General Authority for Investment Founder and Chairman of MAFI Company for Agricultural Produce Industries representatives from leading global companies specializing in cutting-edge agri-food technologies were also in attendance emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the occasion under the leadership of Ahmed Abou Hashima has unveiled plans for a sprawling agri-food complex Spanning an expansive area of 154,000 square meters in Industria Sadat City this visionary project is set to redefine the industry landscape the complex is set to become a beacon of innovation and productivity Among its notable features are two of Egypt's largest plants dedicated to the production of orange and tomato concentrates as well as various fruit products and citrus oils it also houses the first-of-its-kind cloudy product plant in the Middle East showcasing a commitment to pioneering advancements the complex boasts one of the world's largest freeze-drying facilities for fruits and vegetables along with a cutting-edge factory for freezing these perishable commodities The complex has an impressive annual production capacity of over 100,000 tons of agricultural food products in Phase I with an estimated turnover of USD 200 Million the production capacity will expand to reach 200,000 tons equivalent to a turnover of USD 400 Million This remarkable feat is made possible through strategic collaborations with prominent international companies renowned in the field Notable partners include JBT and Cabin Plant from the United States all of which bring their expertise and cutting-edge technologies to the table To ensure the project's financial viability and feasibility comprehensive financial studies were conducted by Beltone Holding Company market studies were undertaken by the reputable American BCG Company providing invaluable insights into market dynamics and consumer trends Ahmed Abou Hashima unveiled the remarkable potential of this complex which is set to create over 7,000 direct and indirect job opportunities By generating significant employment opportunities the project aims to contribute to the growth of the Egyptian economy while striving to achieve a balance between imports and exports the complex is geared towards exporting over 80% of its production This strategic approach not only enhances global market reach but also bolsters foreign direct investment and financing the General Manager of JBT Company praised the advanced level of technology and the high quality that MAFI complex will deliver to global markets conveyed his immense satisfaction with the partnership with MAFI Company in setting up one of the largest plants worldwide equipped with state-of-the-art freeze-drying technology The primary objective is to boost the Egyptian food sector's ongoing attempts to enhance their global exports Recognizing the Egyptian market's growth potential this collaboration aims to contribute significantly to its expansion on a global scale Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2308109/MAFI.jpg SOURCE MAFI for Agricultural Produce Industries Do not sell or share my personal information: UNESCO recently made an important decision about Japan's Hashima Island The UN agency adopted a resolution on July 22 expressing its strong regret over Japan's failure to adequately disclose the dark history of the 23 modern industrial sites that were inscribed on the World Heritage list in July 2015 Koreans were subjected to forced labor during Japan's colonial occupation of the country One of the best known of those sites is Hashima an island off the shore of Nagasaki that's also known as Battleship Island Koreans were conscripted to work in the islands' coal mines where many of them died from the backbreaking labor The Japanese government has to submit an implementation report by Dec for Japan to organize an exhibition recognizing the conscription of those workers and remembering those who died The Japanese government's position is that the conscription wasn't illegal because Koreans were subjects of Japan at the time Japan also emphasizes that the Koreans didn't suffer discrimination That's consistent with the Japanese view of history which holds that Japan's colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula was legal and legitimate Japan might instead try to distort the history of Hashima Island A 20-minute document called "Midori nashi Shima" (meaning "the island without green") that NHK produced about Hashima in 1955 is facing a concerted barrage from Japan's right-wingers who dispute the accuracy of several scenes in the documentary showing men in "fundoshi" traditional undergarments and hard hats bent over in the cramped mines The National Congress of Industrial Heritage (NCIH) quotes Hashima residents who claimed that the mines shown in the documentary weren't on Hashima The residents said workers were supposed to wear proper clothing and that the mine shifts weren't so low or cramped The NCIH is a far-right organization that the Japanese government has commissioned to run the Industrial Heritage Information Center The Japanese government opened the center in Shinjuku as part of its promise with UNESCO to disclose the full history of its industrial heritage a former member of Japan's cabinet secretariat during the premiership of Shinzo Abe and the person who set up the NCIH These attempts to distort the history of Hashima are so dangerous because not only far-right groups but also the Japanese government and politicians are so actively involved these groups seem to be fully committed to the campaign Conservative lawmakers in the Liberal Democratic Party summoned staff from NHK to the Diet and pressured them to admit that the video had been faked When staff insisted that an internal review hadn't turned up any evidence that the mine in question wasn't on Hashima even the NHK chairman pressured them to own up to the fabrication Why are these right-wingers going to all this trouble After securing acknowledgment that the documentary is flawed they hope to jump to the conclusion that South Korea's claims are false They're trying to convince the public that Korea is using the video as evidence for its claims about conscription and slave labor on Hashima and that the negative image about the island began with the NHK's alleged fabrication It's true that the video is a valuable source about the awful working conditions in the Hashima mines But Korean and Japanese researchers learned the truth about the island long ago through numerous documents and testimony by the survivors that wouldn't justify our rejection of Japan's history of subjecting Koreans to forced labor the Japanese far-right persists in its efforts — apparently because of its huge success in applying similar methods to the issue of the "comfort women," women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military in World War II anyone who has seen the video would be dumbfounded by the allegations about fabrication The documentary wasn't made to call out awful conditions on Hashima Island — if anything it's a promotional video that shows residents enjoying shopping and other leisure activities the narrator enthuses about how the faces of the miners are filled with pride and joy about their contribution to Japan's industrialization Common sense should tell us that NHK would have had no reason to add fabrications to this kind of puff piece Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr] Shelby Slauer contributed to a previous version of this article The Mitsubishi Corporation turned coal-rich Hashima Island into a highly populated city full of apartment complexes and schools to accommodate the island's growing mining community When the coal deposit under the island ran out Mitsubishi left the once thriving metropolis to decay. St. Kilda may be an important breeding site for puffins and other seabirds but day-to-day life for humans on the island was far from ideal The port of Suakin was originally developed by Ramses III in the 10th century BCE was a crucial trading port for large empires and was a luxurious gated island port with stunning buildings made of coral that featured intricate wood and stone carvings it became a center for East Africa slave trading but it started to shrink when the trade diminished The only remnants of the thriving civilization left today are the ruins of the coral buildings that once stood on the island. as well as a scientific-research base for Chile Although Deception Island is uninhabitable photographers and tourists frequently visit it to catch a glimpse of its otherworldly landscape and wildlife Holland Island in Chesapeake Bay, a 5-mile-long island that was home to hundreds of seamen and farmers, eroded and basically disappeared into the sea a combination of shrinking land and severe flooding led all of the island's residents to move away Since then, the island has continued to slowly become submerged. In 2010, the only surviving home on the island was finally engulfed by rising tides and collapsed into the bay McNab's Island was once home to a secret, Prohibition-era distillery among many other structures that lay abandoned today McNab's Island was settled by merchant Peter McNab in the 1780s after having previously been used mostly by fishermen His descendants lived on the island until 1934 but without other inhabitants the island eventually fell into disarray. and it has a very small number of permanent residents One especially irritated neighbor bought the property in 1812 and closed its doors for good the abandoned island was planted with trees meant to hide the nearby Brentford gasworks from neighboring areas Control of Ross Island — named after its first inhabitant in 1788 — passed through several countries' hands before it was ultimately abandoned until 1941 brought an earthquake and an invasion by the Japanese who claimed the land for their war bunkers Ross Island was then alternately claimed by the Japanese and British until 1979 when the island was given to the Indian Navy Today, the island is overgrown with plants and roots but visitors can walk around the remains of the buildings or visit some of the small shops set up for tourists. Named by Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 Dry Tortugas went from a popular shipping corridor to the home of the Navy's anti-piracy fortress (Fort Jefferson) which aimed to protect the shipping channel and the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico Although the fortress was never fully operational, it imprisoned many Civil War deserters and most notably a conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. After the Navy abandoned the base in 1874 President Roosevelt registered the fortress as a national monument and the entire archipelago as a national park (Dry Tortugas consists of seven island keys; Garden The remains of the village of Ukivok on King Island have survived for 50 years despite their decaying stilts and perilous location Without children there to help gather food for winter the adults were forced to come back to the mainland as well The abandoned school still stands untouched today Some of the descendants of the King Islanders still return to the island occasionally to preserve their way of life Cumberland Island was once home to Native Americans before becoming a colonial settlement when the Spanish arrived burning most of what stood on the island to the ground with forts designed to fend off the Spanish before the island became a working plantation However, the home burned down in 1959. Some suspect that the fire was an act of arson including some of the few remaining private residences San Giorgio began as the site of a Benedictine monastery as early as 1,000 CE and it was home to various other monasteries until a fire ravaged the island It became the location of a political prison in 1799 and held bunkers during World War I the encampments on the island were used as a secret training base by the Nazis to learn how to plant underwater mines and now only remnants of the buildings can be seen from the opposite shore Tourists have visited the island to see the ruins up close though the military and religious artifacts have since been removed and is thus often considered one of the most haunted places on Earth often likened to "the real Shutter Island." a psychiatric facility opened on the island However, it closed in 1999 for various reasons including a fear of wild-roaming alligators and deadly bacteria found in the park's waters Ōkunoshima is now known as "Rabbit Island," but it was originally where the Japanese Imperial Army manufactured poison gas during World War II which was used to kill about 80,000 thousand soldiers and civilians in China. Rabbits are believed to have been brought to the island to test the effectiveness of the poison gas but when Allied Occupation Forces dismantled the plant they released the test rabbits onto the island. The Palmyra Atoll has never been settled, though it is said to be the site of various shipwrecks and treasures it was bought by a wealthy family in 1922 and used as a refueling station by the US Navy during World War II It became the last privately owned US territory in 1959, when Hawaii became a state, but featured few people after WWII, save for scientists who would stay there every now and then for temporary research It now belongs to the Nature Conservancy, a non-profit group the buildings on the island were used for veteran's housing and then as a rehab center for drug addicts But eventually the facility closed down in 1963 The buildings still stand on the island and are said to be haunted by all those who were mistreated there so it's probably for the best that people aren't allowed here Photograph: Yves Marchand & Romain Meffre