 Supreme Court blames governments for neglect over spread of Minamata disease The Supreme Court on October 15 held the central and the Kumamoto prefectural governments responsible for the spread of Minamata disease (organic mercury poisoning) due to their neglect in 1960 to exercise administrative regulatory authority. The suits were filed in the 1980s by patients and their bereaved families seeking official recognition as Minamata disease patients, who moved in from Kyushu to Kansai district. The top court ordered the state and the prefecture to pay compensation to some of the plaintiffs. Minamata disease has killed hundreds of people, disabled thousands, and produced birth defects in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto, in southwestern Japan. The disease was caused by organic mercury in the water discharged into Minamata Bay by the Chisso Corporation based in the city. The mercury, taken through fish, caused various nerve disorders. The supreme court judgment, for the first time, clearly established the administrative responsibility of the central and the prefectural government. Hashiguchi Saburo, chief secretary of the National Alliance of Victims of Minamata Disease and their Lawyers, on the same day, regarded the judgment as reasonable in attributing the responsibility for the disease to administration. At the same time, he demanded that the state sincerely reflect on another outbreak of the disease in Niigata and to take necessary measures. He said that the organization will call on the state and the prefecture to improve the system of supporting the patients. (end) |