Anna+8

The Kumamoto Prefecture government banned fishermen from selling fish from the bay. Until 1968, Chisso Corporation quit dumping mercury into the bay. In 1969, the company was forced into court. Chisso Corporation stopped poisoning the waters because the method of producing mercury became outdated. Soon, the court then determined that the company constantly poured mercury into the water of Minamata Bay from 1932 to 1968. In July 1959, Dr. Hosokawa performed hidden cat experiments to the Chisso Corporation and showed the affects of mercury poisoning when feeding cats a chemical called acetaldehyde. He was the first person to put a worthy effort in trying to prove that the Chisso Corporation was the company that was responsible for the Minamata Disaster.
 * What has been done to fix the problem? Was this the best solution to the problem? **

This company began to make deals with the people who have the Minamata Disease. The victims agreed that Chisso Corporation would pay money to them as compensation for the Minamata Disease, but wouldn’t accept any responsibility. If the company was proven guilty, Chisso Corporation would not be responsible for more compensation.

Fishermen started to protest in 1959 and demanded for compensation, but became terrified by the threats from the Chisso Corporation. The people were afraid that if they continue to protest, they will not receive any compensation at all. Introduction to Anna's Minamata Disaster Anna 8C Minamata Disaster page 2 Anna 8C Minamata Disaster page 3 Anna 8C Minamata Disaster page 5