A bill aimed at finally settling the Minamata mercury-poisoning case and helping unrecognized sufferers of the disease has been outlined by a task force of the ruling parties, sources said Wednesday.
The Liberal Democratic Party-New Komeito ruling coalition plans to officially approve the bill, which stipulates that "people who should get relief will be helped," in Friday's meeting of the task force and submit it during the ongoing regular Diet session.
To secure compensation for the victims, the bill also stipulates procedures for reviewing the operations of Chisso Corp., which caused the disease by releasing mercury-laced wastewater from its factory into Minamata Bay.