Japan Press Weekly

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2024 October 9 - 15 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

JCP Dietmembers urge gov’t to provide full and early relief to all Minamata disease victims

A group of Japanese Communist Party parliamentarians on October 8 submitted to Environment Minister Asao Keiichiro a written request demanding full and early relief for all Minamata disease victims.

This action was organized by JCP Vice Chair Yamashita Yoshiki (Upper House), JCP member of the House of Representatives Tamura Takaaki, and JCP members of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi and Nihi Sohei.

The JCP lawmakers’ group in its document criticized the government for excluding mercury-poisoned victims from its relief measures by setting unreasonable eligibility criteria. The JCP pointed out that in a series of “No More Minamata” lawsuits, plaintiffs with mercury-induced diseases who had not been covered by the 2009 “special measures law on relief for Minamata-disease victims” were recognized as Minamata disease patients. The JCP made a 6-point request including reviewing the current system which uses the unreasonably narrow criteria for certifying Minamata disease patients, recognizing Minamata disease patients solely on the basis of the presence of sensory disturbance, and revising the operations of the Act on Compensation for Pollution-related Health Damage.

Yamashita claimed, “It is unacceptable for the government to exclude aging patients from its relief program. To provide full relief to the victims is the government responsibility.” Tamura referred to court rulings recognizing Minamata disease victims beyond the current criteria, and stressed, “A fundamental revision of the current criteria is essential to provide relief to all Minamata disease victims.” Nihi and Inoue also called for all victims to be covered by the government relief measure without delay.

> Niigata district court orders chemical company to pay compensation to Minamata-disease patients [April 19, 2024]
> Minamata disease patients win in Osaka court [September 28, 2023]