Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Hikaru Kimura of Mitsubishi expressed ''a most sincere apology'' to former US prisoners of war and their families

Japan's Mitsubishi corporation has made a landmark apology for using US prisoners of war as forced labour during World War Two.

A senior executive, Hikaru Kimura, expressed remorse at a ceremony in Los Angeles that prisoners had been put to work in mines operated by the firm.

It is believed to be the first such apology by a Japanese company.

One of the few surviving former US prisoners forced to work in Japan was present to accept the apology.

James Murphy, 94, said this was "a glorious day... for 70 years we wanted this."

Image copyright AP Image caption About 500 American POWs were forced to work in the mines by the Japanese

"I listened very carefully to Mr Kimura's statement of apology and found it very very sincere, humble and revealing," he added.

"We hope that we can go ahead now and have a better understanding, a better friendship and closer ties with our ally, Japan."

'Important gesture'

Relatives of other former prisoners were also present at the ceremony, held at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.

Mitsubishi is acting independently of the Japanese government which has already issued a formal apology to American prisoners.

Japanese government officials say that it is an important gesture ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war in August.

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

Image copyright AP Image caption Protesters of mostly Korean or Chinese descent took to the streets of Los Angeles in May to protest against Japanese war crimes, during a visit by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

The mines operated at four locations run by Mitsubishi's predecessor company, Mitsubishi Mining Co.

Only two living survivors could be located to accept the apology, and, only Mr Murphy was fit enough to make the trip to Los Angeles, local media reported.

About 500 American POWs were forced to work in the mines from among the thousands of allied, Philippine, Korean and Chinese prisoners who were pushed into slave labour by the Japanese.

'Slavery in every way'

Image copyright AP Image caption James Murphy said his experiences in the mines had been "slavery in every way"

Mr Murphy told US media earlier that he spent a year at a copper mine near Hanawa, an experience he described as "a complete horror".

"It was slavery in every way: no food, no medicine, no clothing, no sanitation," he said, adding that it was all the more galling to know that Mitsubishi built fighter aircraft used against American forces.

He said that, while he had forgiven his captors, he still wanted the apology for his ordeal.

Although no cash compensation is being offered by Mitsubishi, the apology was "a big deal", he had said.

Correspondents say it is not clear why the apology has come so long after the war.

The Japanese government officially apologised to American former POWs five years ago.