Japan apologizes for mistreating Canadian POWs in WWII

The Japanese government on Thursday apologized to Canada for mistreating Canadian prisoners of war (POWs) in World War II, 70 years after the fall of Hong Kong to Japanese forces in 1941.The apology was delivered in Tokyo by Toshiyuki Kato, Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, at a commemorative ceremony which was attended by Canada's Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Canadian Ministry of Veterans Affairs.The press release said Blaney and Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird "recognized the heartfelt apology from the Government of Japan to former Canadian prisoners of war (POWs) for their suffering during the Second World War."Blaney said that this important gesture of Japan is a crucial step in ongoing reconciliation and a significant milestone in the lives of all prisoners of war."It acknowledges their suffering while honoring their sacrifices and courage," said Blaney, who also visited the graves of Canadian soldiers at the British Commonwealth Cemetery at Yokohama.In Ottawa, Baird said in a statement that Japan's apology will help in healing as the two countries move forward."The terrible pain and heavy burden of the Second World War have given way to a mutually beneficial, respectful relationship between Canada and Japan as mature democracies - a legacy of all who served in the Pacific campaigns," he said.According to Canada's official releases, approximately 1,975 Canadians participated in the battle to defend Hong Kong, a then British colony, which happened between December 8 and Christmas Day 1941 during the Second World War.Approximately 290 Canadians lost their lives in the battle. Unable to fight any longer, the Allies had no choice but to surrender Hong Kong Island.Those who survived the heavy fighting were imprisoned in prisoner of war camps in Hong Kong and Japan until Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945. For nearly four years, the Canadians were subjected to deliberate and systematic mistreatment at the hands of their captors.The prisoners of war were forced into backbreaking labor in construction sites, mines, shipyards and foundries, and were frequently beaten and starved. Another 267 men died in the camps before the survivors were liberated. Many of those who returned to Canada suffered serious disabilities as a result of their experiences in Hong Kong, and many died prematurely.A Canadian who spent four years in a Japanese POW camp after the Battle of Hong Kong said the apology issued Thursday morning is an "extremely important" step towards acknowledging atrocities committed during the Second World War."We survivors are happy about their apology which they have refused to give over 70 years," George MacDonell, 90, told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday."I'm hoping this apology will open up the Japanese secrecy over their treatment of (POWs) during World War II in 14 of their captured nations."MacDonell, originally from Edmonton, spent four years as a POW in Japan, subjected to what he described as "slave labor" in a shipyard, and later in Japanese mines deep underground. He and the other POWs lived in a constant state of near-starvation and malnutrition.