Japan's Mitsubishi to make prisoners of war apology

The Mitsubishi corporation is to make a landmark apology for using American prisoners of war (POWs) as forced labour during World War Two.

An executive from the Japanese company will make the apology to former POW James Murphy, 94, and the relatives of other one-time prisoners.

The executive will express remorse at a ceremony at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Los Angeles, officials there say.

Campaigners say it is the first formal apology by a Japanese firm to POWs.

"We hope this will spur other companies to join in and do the same." said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the centre.

The apology in Los Angeles on Sunday is being made independently of the Japanese government, officials say.