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3.3.1 Minamata Disease and Japan’s Experience
with Industrial Pollution
For Japan, industrial pollution originates as environmental problems. Why they
happened and how they were overcome give us several lessons for preventing new
pollution problems from occurring in Japan or in other parts of the world.
Minamata disease is a typical example of an industrial pollution problem that
Japan has experienced. Minamata disease, a disease of the central nervous system,
is caused by eating fi sh and shellfi sh contaminated with methyl mercury compounds. These compounds were discharged into the sea at the Shin Nihon Chisso
(hereafter Chisso) plant in Minamata. The compounds accumulated in the marine
life [ 4 ]. Since it was one of the fi rst severe industrial or environmental pollution
problems in Japanese history, limited knowledge and lessons were available at that
time. It took a long time to understand and overcome what was occurring. Minamata
disease is one of the largest and longest-lasting pollution problems in Japan, and
the Minamata disease issue represents nearly all aspects of pollution problems. For
these reasons, this Mianamta case provides an essential case study for fostering
environmental leaders.
The objective of this case study is to learn the following aspects of environmental
pollution: (1) environmental pollution ultimately harms people, and protecting the
environment is critical, (2) economic growth and human health/rights, (3) discrimination, the social divide, and environmental justice (4) science, technology, and
society, (5) environmental science and environmental engineering, (6) environmental economics, and (7) post-modern and risk issues. This list shows that the
issues surrounding Minamata disease are ongoing. It also touches on the most
advanced issues related to the environment and sustainability.
3.3.1.1 Environmental Pollution Ultimately Harms People and Protecting
the Environment Is Critical
The fi rst step of this case study is to understand the tragic consequences of Minamata
disease. Through this step, students learn how a polluted environment ultimately
harms people and that protecting the environment is essential. The tragic experiences of the victims include not only the disease itself but also how other people
treated them.
In Minamata today, several of the victims are registered as storytellers and
opportunities to listen to their stories are organized. Many elementary or junior high
schools are taking advantage of this storytelling for their social study courses.
Storytelling is also used during training courses at universities and companies.
ECLA also shows a video of the storytellers and has students read books, such as
Kugai Jodo (Paradise in the Sea of Sorrow) written by Ishimure [ 5 ] to help them
understand the victims’ experiences.
3 APIEL Compulsory Course: Environmental Challenges and Leadership in Asia
3.3.1 Minamata Disease and Japan’s Experience
with Industrial Pollution
For Japan, industrial pollution originates as environmental problems. Why they
happened and how they were overcome give us several lessons for preventing new
pollution problems from occurring in Japan or in other parts of the world.
Minamata disease is a typical example of an industrial pollution problem that
Japan has experienced. Minamata disease, a disease of the central nervous system,
is caused by eating fi sh and shellfi sh contaminated with methyl mercury compounds. These compounds were discharged into the sea at the Shin Nihon Chisso
(hereafter Chisso) plant in Minamata. The compounds accumulated in the marine
life [ 4 ]. Since it was one of the fi rst severe industrial or environmental pollution
problems in Japanese history, limited knowledge and lessons were available at that
time. It took a long time to understand and overcome what was occurring. Minamata
disease is one of the largest and longest-lasting pollution problems in Japan, and
the Minamata disease issue represents nearly all aspects of pollution problems. For
these reasons, this Mianamta case provides an essential case study for fostering
environmental leaders.
The objective of this case study is to learn the following aspects of environmental
pollution: (1) environmental pollution ultimately harms people, and protecting the
environment is critical, (2) economic growth and human health/rights, (3) discrimination, the social divide, and environmental justice (4) science, technology, and
society, (5) environmental science and environmental engineering, (6) environmental economics, and (7) post-modern and risk issues. This list shows that the
issues surrounding Minamata disease are ongoing. It also touches on the most
advanced issues related to the environment and sustainability.
3.3.1.1 Environmental Pollution Ultimately Harms People and Protecting
the Environment Is Critical
The fi rst step of this case study is to understand the tragic consequences of Minamata
disease. Through this step, students learn how a polluted environment ultimately
harms people and that protecting the environment is essential. The tragic experiences of the victims include not only the disease itself but also how other people
treated them.
In Minamata today, several of the victims are registered as storytellers and
opportunities to listen to their stories are organized. Many elementary or junior high
schools are taking advantage of this storytelling for their social study courses.
Storytelling is also used during training courses at universities and companies.
ECLA also shows a video of the storytellers and has students read books, such as
Kugai Jodo (Paradise in the Sea of Sorrow) written by Ishimure [ 5 ] to help them
understand the victims’ experiences.
3 APIEL Compulsory Course: Environmental Challenges and Leadership in Asia