James Murphy suffered as a prisoner of war during World War II. He worked in a copper mine under harsh conditions. Sunday, the 94-year-old veteran finally received a formal apology from the company that forced him to toil as a captive: the Mitsubishi Materials Corp.
Murphy was one of about 900 prisoners of war who suffered “harsh, severe hardships” in the Mitsubishi mines and industrial plants in Japan during the war.
Murphy and other POWs listened to Mitsubishi executives express their “deep sense of ethical responsibility for a past tragedy” at the Museum of Tolerance at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles.
Murphy accepted the apology on behalf of the other veterans. “This is a glorious day,” said Murphy. “For 70 years, we wanted this.”
Smiling and gracious, Murphy expressed little sorrow or bitterness and says he believes Mitsubishi’s words can be trusted.
Murphy’s attitude of humble forgiveness is admirable and reminds us of a Savior who likewise willingly forgives.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (I John 1:9)
