Minamata disease victims in metropolitan areas file lawsuit

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Minamata disease victims in metropolitan areas file lawsuit

Twenty-three Minamata disease sufferers on February 23 filed a lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court against the state, Kumamoto Prefecture, and chemical maker Chisso Corp., demanding compensation for their suffering.

Plaintiffs had lived on the coast of the Shiranui Sea, Kumamoto Prefecture and became victims of the organic mercury in waste water that was discharged from a Chisso plant. Since 1955, they moved to Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Shizuoka prefectures.

At a news conference, plaintiff Yamamoto Akihiko said, “I was shocked when I was diagnosed with Minatama disease. I want the public to know the dangerous nature of environmental pollution.”

The plaintiffs’ lawyers group issued a statement caliming that the aim of this lawsuit is not only to win compensation for plaintiffs’ sufferings but also to establish a relief program that can be applied to all Minamata disease victims.

Members of a Minamata disease patients’ group took their cases to Kumamoto and Osaka district courts. The group organized those who have not been certified as having Minamata disease by the government. Regarding the Kumamoto lawsuit, plaintiffs started negotiations for settlement calling for measures to relieve all Minamata disease sufferers.

- Akahata, February 24, 2010