Revieed Book: Historical Sources Unravel the Issue of “Mobilized Korean Workers,” published by Soshi-sha, 2024
Author: Nagatani Ryosuke
Reviewer: Tomoko Hifumi, Senior Reseacher, International Research Institute of Historical Controversies
This book is an epoch-making academic book, dealing with the disputed issue of Korean “mobilized workers.” Based on closely examined primary historical sources, it completely refutes the alleged “forced mobilization and forced labor” theory that during the war, Korean people were compulsorily mobilized from the Korean Peninsula and forced to work at Japanese coal and other mines.
Its author, Mr. Nagatani Ryosuke, is a researcher at the Historical Awareness Research Committee and a visiting researcher at the Reitaku University Study Center of International Issues. Mr. Nagatani was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1986 and graduated from the Department of Culture and History of Kumamoto University. He completed the doctoral course of Japan Study Institute at the graduate school of Hosei University and obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. After graduating from the graduate school of Hosei University, he joined the Historical Awareness Research Committee (President: Nishioka Tsutomu) and is actively engaged in studying mainly the issue of wartime Korean workers. He co-authored The True Nature of Wartime Korean Workers (published by the General Incorporated Foundation National Congress of Industrial Heritage).
The theory of “forced mobilization” and “forced labor” was ignited by the publication of a book titled The Record of Forced Mobilization of Koreans written by a person named Park Kyon-sik in 1965. At present, the historical examination on Park Kyon-sik’s arguments has proved to be largely problematic. Nevertheless, the theory of forced mobilization and forced labor has never been abandoned, but is still smoldering, often being used politically and is about to simmer at any moment. This has not remained an academic issue limited to the historical circles. In fact, in 2018, the South Korean Supreme Court ordered Shin-Nittetsu Sumi Kin (a Japanese steel company) to compensate former South Korean workers for the alleged forced labor during the war. After the Supreme Court decision, the number of lawsuits demanding compensation from Japanese companies increased and in all the lawsuits, the plaintiffs have won. It goes without saying that all of these court rulings are against the Agreement on the Settlement of Problems Concerning Properties and Claims and on Economic Co-operation between Japan and the Republic of Korea, concluded in 1965. Thus, historical issues tend to be used politically.
This book is composed of two parts.
The first part contains the refutation of the narrative of “forced mobilization” and “forced labor” of wartime Korean workers. Chapter One refutes the concept of “forced mobilization,” through the detailed explanation of the recruiting process based on historical sources and proves that most of the workers came to Japan voluntarily. Chapter Two refutes “forced labor.” Here, historical sources are concretely analyzed in terms of wages, meals and working hours.
The second part vividly describes how Korean workers worked and lived, based on the primary historical sources. Chapter Three shows the life and work of Korean workers based on “Tokko Geppo” (Special Higher Police Monthly Report), which was compiled by the Security Section of Police Department of the Ministry of the Interior. The entire picture of labor conflicts by Korean workers is shown. Chapter Four deals with Nisso Teshio Coal Mine in Hokkaido, Chapter Five describes Sado Gold Mine and Chapter Six takes up Mitsui Miike Coal Mines. Through these studies, it is verified that the idea of “forced labor” is not factual and historical facts are revealed from objective viewpoints.
This book clearly portrays this author’s scholarly attitudes totally focusing on the principles as a history scholar. He has been steadily unearthing primary sources and strictly analyzing and examining them—theories and views induced through such steady and reliable work prove to be certainly objective and irrefutable.
Those who support “forced mobilization” and “forced labor” theories mainly depend on statements made by South Koreans as grounds for their conviction. Their testimonies alone are made much of and they are celebrated as “surviving witnesses.” Once objection or doubt is cast on their statements, they get so emotional and upset that they fiercely fight back, totally out of control, saying that their honor is damaged. Such tendency became more significant after the comfort women issue came up. Moreover, although the testimonies are primary sources, they are arbitrarily used or based on arbitrary interpretations. Among primary sources, they pick up only convenient ones that support their view and do not refer to what is inconvenient. They go even further, adding distorted interpretations in favor of their own view.
This author bravely challenges these ill trends in the history study society and strongly warns readers of the wrong and dangerous trend that influences history studies. Those who study history should not have prejudice or preoccupation. I would like to have those “forced mobilization” advocates pick up this book and sincerely look through all the primary sources and then try to refute it in an academic manner. Such an attitude will surely contribute to the sound development of learning. At the same time, this book will provide a good opportunity to start solving the deep-rooted and never-ending (because the South Korean side repeatedly brings back what has been once resolved to the table) historical issue.
In addition, to promote the true friendship between Japan and South Korea, I ardently hope that South Koreans soaked in anti-Japan thinking will read this book as a wake-up call. In a sense, South Koreans dyed with anti-Japan thinking can be called victims of the South Korean Government. On the other hand, I want Japanese people who have been made the perpetrators of “forced mobilization and forced labor” to read this book, by all means. Even if they don’t read through pages, just take up this book in hand and read the table of contents and feel the dubious claim of the “forced mobilization and forced labor.” Not to refute at the right time means a defeat in historical issue warfare and leaves far bigger regrets than armed forces and military wars. Knowing the truth is the stronger foundation of national strength, more important than the possession of armed or military forces.