Abandoned Japanese Island

Otherwise known as 'battleship island,' Hashima is a small island near Nagasaki. It was developed in the early 1900s to mine the coal underneath it and at its height (1959) was one of the most densely populated place on earth. The comment about 'needless deaths' near the end of the movie is a reference to the fact that during World War II the Japanese brought in Koreans and had them mine coal on starvation rations. In 1974 the coal mine was closed and shortly after the island was abandoned. Today, travel to it is prohibited.
gluoniumsays...

haunting and sad. sometimes I wonder if the whole world might look like this someday. Its interesting that he censors himself immediately when the issue of forced labor camps comes up.

Nithernsays...

Its a bit sad to watch. I figured, in the first two minutes, I would skip it, but turns out, I watched it all. I do hope the man took the teacup of his mother's. That would be something special to remeber that island by.

AboutFacesays...

Slave labor until 1974 !!! This is not past history. No-one dare speak out, the fear that gripped them still abides, and people still tragically die of KAROSHI. This means worked to death. There is a lot of cover-up and prettifying of history and culture, but in other countries the past is faced and repented of. Germany teaches Holocaust studies to schoolchildren, England makes historically self-deprecatory films documentaries etc., often going too far, as if there were no good in its history or culture. But Japanese self respect is bound up with Japan's image, so even de-humanized victims would not complain. It is very difficult for non-Japanese to understand the full extent of this slavery of the mind. My point is, modern slavery must be iradicated and prevented, not spread around. Some political and cultural leaders would see such docility as very expedient for them.....

zorsays...

Considering the extreme cost of land in Japan it is very unusual, I think, that they don't re-develop this and have people living there. There must be something else going on, maybe underground. Military.

Send this Article to a Friend



Separate multiple emails with a comma (,); limit 5 recipients






Your email has been sent successfully!

Manage this Video in Your Playlists




notify when someone comments
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
  
Learn More