Japanese firm Mitsubishi has finally apologised for subjecting World War II prisoners to slave labour.

On Sunday, the global giant issued a “most remorseful apology” to one of two surviving US soldiers who was, along with thousands of others, worked to death or near-death without adequate food, clothing and sanitation.

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“For 70 years since the war ended, the prisoners of war who worked for these Japanese companies have asked for something very simple, an apology,” survivor James Murphy, 94, of California told Al Jazeera.

“We would like to extend this to all the other mines and factories who employed American POWs against their will.”

The Mitsubishi apology did not seem to include Australian, British and Dutch soldiers, who were also used as slave labourers.

A company executive, Hikaru Kimura, gave the apology at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Mr Murphy told the BBC it was “a glorious day”.

“I listened very carefully to Mr Kimura’s statement of apology and found it very very sincere, humble and revealing.

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

Five hundred US soldiers and thousands of others were reportedly forced to work for Mitsubishi during the war.

The Japanese government formally apologised to US prisoners of war in 2009 and 2010.