Decades later, the dispute over Minamata disease remains unresolved
Seventy years have passed since the official confirmation of Minamata disease, but victims and advocates say a final resolution remains out of reach.“Even after 70 years, Minamata disease has not ended. Have the Environment Ministry and Kumamoto Prefectural Government ever considered why that might be the case?” said Yoshihiro Yamashita, 85, head of a victims’ and supporters’ liaison group.Minamata disease is the name given to the severe neurological disorder caused by methylmercury discharged from a factory operated by chemical firm Chisso. Residents living in the area consumed seafood that had accumulated methylmercury traced to wastewater discharged by the factory.
