like to express my sincere apologies to a lot of people who have suffered significant pain beyond all description for a long time."

Taking the opportunity of the 50 $ ^{th} $ year since the government officially acknowledged Minamata disease, and taking into consideration the 1995 political settlement, and the supreme court judgment, the government officially announced “Future Minamata disease countermeasures” in April 2005 to grant the full amount of medical expenses self-pay portion to health care certificate holders. In October 2005, the government re-started accepting application forms for a health care certificate, which would provide better benefits than in the past. In addition, the government intends to start new regional programs in FY2006, such as supporting social activities for fetal patients.

To provide better conditions in the future so that Minamata disease victims are able to lead their lives without any concerns in their local community, it is necessary to expand relevant medical programs and proceed with cooperative programs with local welfare projects.

### Section 4. Projects for Addressing Environmental Pollution

As a countermeasure against polluted sediments, Chisso, the central government, and Kumamoto Prefecture paid the costs from 1977 to 1990 of dredging and reclaiming a portion of Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture where the concentration of mercury in the sediments exceeded the removal standard value (mercury: 25ppm). In Niigata Prefecture, in 1976, Showa Denko paid the costs of dredging mercury-containing sediments from locations near the factory wastewater channels where the concentration of mercury exceeded the removal standard value.

In Minamata Bay and the Aganogawa River, water quality, sediments, and fish have been monitored on a regular basis. Surveys conducted by Kumamoto and Niigata Prefectures in FY2005 have revealed that Minamata Bay and the Aganogawa River had satisfactory stay in good water quality like in the preceding year.

It is important to continue regular monitoring of water quality, sediments, and fish in these locations. With regard to Minamata Bay, it is also important to conduct appropriate safety control measures, such as inspection of reclaimed land.

Reclaimed land in Minamata Bay Photo:courtesy of Minamata Disease Municipal Museum

### Section 5. Toward Revitalizing Local Communities and Transferring Valuable Lessons

Minamata disease, which marked the origin for Japan’s environmental problems, has posed health problems for every victim and resulted from environmental pollution. In addition, it has had a range of negative impacts, with discrimination against victims and conflicts among residents that have disrupted local communities. Because of this, local government in particular started “Moyai-naoshi” $ ^{*} $ programs to revitalize local communities. They are also working on disseminating information on their experiences dealing with Minamata disease.

As 2006 is the $ 50^{th} $ year since the government officially acknowledged Minamata disease, the national government, relevant local governments, Minamata-disease-related organizations, and local residents worked together to establish the “Executive Committee for the $ 50^{th} $ Year Minamata Disease Programs” and agreed to work jointly on the $ 50^{th} $ Year Minamata Disease Programs, such as holding a symposium to pass on valuable lessons to future generations.

At its 164 $ ^{th} $ ordinary session, taking the opportunity of the 50 $ ^{th} $ year since the official acknowledgement of Minamata disease, both at the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of the Japanese Diet passed the “Resolution to Solemnly Undertake not to Repeat Miserable Pollution.” On April 28, 2006, the Prime Minister delivered his “Statement on the 50 $ ^{th} $ Year since the Official Acknowledgement of Minamata Disease.”