Fukuoka #26-B Keisen

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Fukuoka 26-B-Keisen (ASO KOGYO YOSHIKUMA TANKO) Yoshikuma Coal Company, owned by the ASO family FUKUOKA-ken, KAHO-gun, KEISEN-machi Location Map - show relationship to other nearby camps Detailed Location Map Above data courtesy of Wes Injerd Time Line: 10 May 1945: camp established as Fukuoka Branch #26 Sept 1945: Rescue effected Photographs: From Japanese mine historical collection Overall view of camp Train loading station

Slave Labor: POWS used in coal mining in formerly closed and dangerous mine. This mine system was- and still is - owned by the ASO family. The son, Taro Aso, is currently [2007] the Foreign Minister of Japan. The Aso family continues to deny it used any slave labor during the war. The Aso remains a family of dishonor and shames the word Bushido. News Story: From the Japan Times- proof of slave labor being used at Aso Mines. In post war report, Aso mines denied responsibility for the two deaths even though they happened over two months after arrival. Both died from effects of severe malnutrition. Hell Ships: Not determined yet. Most likely men transferred here from other camps as no hell ships came up in May 1945. A large number of the men definitely came up on the WALES MARU (Weills) which departed Singapore 16 May 1943. ( per diary of Wilkie and contacts from John H. Byrnes- Source: Robin Lim). A number of these men were transferred here from Kobe House (camp 2B). Rosters: Australian roster prepared by Neil MacPherson of Australia Australians: indicates rank and units (Includes two who died) Dutch: 2 men British: 101 men including one officer- prepared by Wes Injerd Americans: None