Takaharu Mitsui

Who was Takaharu Mitsui?

Baron Takaharu Mitsui of Japan, is considered one of the most eminent, if not the most celebrated, students of Japanese philately. He is considered the “dean of Japanese philately” by many in the philatelic world.

Mitsui also ran a zinc smelter near Omuta located on the southern island of Kyushu. Where during World War 2, hundreds of Allied POWs were forced to work in the zinc mines and smelter. Many men lost their lives due to disease and constant beatings. Others lucky to return home after the war, but the dreams of the daily brutalities of their days at Fukuoka 17 would never leave them. The camp was one of dozens scattered across Japan, which held British, American, Dutch and Australian prisoners of war. Many believed Mitsui should have been executed as a war criminal, or at least been imprisoned for a some time.