The Asahi Shimbun Company (CEO: Katsuhiro Tsunoda) will report on the current situation and history surrounding Minamata disease, widely known as the 'origin of pollution,' as it marks its 70th anniversary of official confirmation on May 1st. As the first installment, they will release "Shinobu's 70 Years: Minamata Disease Without End" as part of the digitally renewed series "A Stories" this spring. Jointly with universities and TV stations, they will also conduct unique surveys to convey the reality and challenges of the damage from multiple perspectives. Interviews with individuals connected to the issue will also be featured.

A Stories: "Shinobu's 70 Years: Minamata Disease Without End"

Shinobu Sakamoto, a fetal patient born with Minamata disease, turns 70 this year. This story looks at the history and present of Minamata disease through her half-century life.

Part 1: Gave Up Both Work and Children

Minamata Disease Official Confirmation 70th Anniversary Survey: An Unprecedented Investigation

The Asahi Shimbun Company, in collaboration with the Minamata Studies Center at Kumamoto Gakuen University (hereinafter "Minamata Studies"), and local broadcasting stations Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting (KAB) and Kagoshima Broadcasting (KKB), conducted a survey of patients and victims. The survey broadly covered health status, discrimination and prejudice, patient certification and relief systems, administrative efforts, and the current state of the issue. This follows a survey conducted by the company and Minamata Studies in 2016, and there are no other similar continuous investigations of this kind. The results will be reported in print and digital formats around May 1st.

Minamata Disease Official Confirmation 70th Anniversary Special Feature Page

The special feature page allows you to view related articles and offers rich content with videos.

Minamata Disease Official Confirmation 70th Anniversary Special Feature Page

Explanation from the Beginning: Understanding Minamata Disease from Scratch

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News