Aso acknowledges family mining firm used POWs

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso acknowledged yesterday that a family firm had used POWs to work in a mine during World War II, and that the government had been mistaken when it denied that fact when he was foreign minister.

But Aso, 68, made no further remark in reply to opposition party charges that a flip-flop on the topic by the ministry symbolized the premier's inconsistent leadership.

"Research by the welfare ministry last year newly revealed that ... Aso Mining had made Allied POWs work," Aso told the lower house when questioned by the opposition Democratic Party's No 2 leader.