Japan鈥檚 legal saga over Minamata disease 鈥� the mercury poisoning of
a town in southern Japan 鈥� has moved closer to conclusion after a Japanese
court ruled that the Chisso chemical company should pay 4 million yen (about
拢16 000) to each of 42 people claiming damages.
The disaster, caused by Chisso鈥檚 practice of discharging organic
mercury into the sea over several decades, became a symbol of industrial
pollution. It also exemplified the Japanese establishment鈥檚 slowness to
respond to such events. Doctors identified 鈥楳inamata disease鈥�, the wasting
of brain matter, in 1956. Discharges of mercury continued until 1968. Criminal
proceedings against Chisso鈥檚 executives dragged on into the 1980s. Arguments
over compensation may run for years yet. This month鈥檚 ruling applies to
only a few claimants. The government designated 2252 people as 鈥楳inamata
disease victims鈥�, of whom 1228 have died.
