A series of lectures hosted by a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization is showing from many perspectives how Japan has tackled issues arising from the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease.
A month of "Minamata Disease University" lectures offered by various instructors, including doctors and Minamata disease patients, through early December aims to enable people to hand down lessons of the disease, according to the nonprofit organization Minamata Forum, which is organizing the program.
Minamata disease was caused by mercury-laced water dumped by a plant operated by chemical maker Chisso Corp. in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture. Tens of thousands of people are believed to have been affected, mainly in Kumamoto and neighboring Kagoshima Prefecture.