18 People Seek Damages over Minamata Disease

Tokyo, Aug. 12 (Jiji Press)--A total of 18 people living in the Kanto eastern Japan region filed a damages lawsuit on Tuesday after failing to receive relief as Minamata disease sufferers. The lawsuit filed with Tokyo District Court demands 4.5 million yen per person from the central government, the Kumamoto prefectural government and chemical maker Chisso Corp. Chisso caused the disease by discharging wastewater containing large amounts of methylmercury into the sea from a plant in the Kumamoto city of Minamata. The plaintiffs in their 40s to 70s, born in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, or the neighboring prefecture of Kagoshima, claim to have Minamata disease symptoms such as sensory impairment. Under law, a lump-sum payment of 2.1 million yen per person and funds to cover medical expenses are provided to those who are not recognized as Minamata disease patients by the state but have certain Minamata disease symptoms. The relief program limits eligible patients by regions and ages. Of the 18 plaintiffs, 13 saw their applications for the relief program rejected. The remaining five failed to submit their applications by the deadline of July 2012. Some 500 people have already filed a similar lawsuit with Kumamoto District Court. Additional 20 people in the Kansai and Shikoku western regions plan to launch a similar suit with Osaka District Court in autumn. END