On the 1st, 66 years after the official confirmation of Minamata disease, which is said to be the origin of pollution, a memorial service for the victims was held in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
The memorial service was canceled last year due to the influence of the new corona, but it was held on a smaller scale and was attended by about 20 patients.
At the ceremony, on behalf of the bereaved family, Matsumi Onoe of Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture, recalled that she struggled to rescue the victims while being discriminated against by the husband of the deceased patient. Please. "
In addition, Minister of the Environment Yamaguchi, who attended online, apologized, "I apologize again for not being able to prevent the spread of Minamata disease on behalf of the country."
On the other hand, at Otomezuka in Minamata City, a memorial service was held by a patient group, and about 90 people prayed.
Regarding Minamata disease, more than 1,400 people still apply for patient certification in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures, and nearly 1,600 continue to seek certification and compensation for damages with the national, prefectural, and Chisso prefectures.
Shinobu Sakamoto, a fetal patient born in the year of official confirmation, said, "It is strange that there are people who will fight in the trial because no damage has been recognized even in 1966. I was talking.
Hideki Sato, who continues the trial for accreditation, said, "It is very disappointing that the country that is the perpetrator should atone for the crime that caused damage and did not prevent the spread, but did not admit it in the trial etc. I want you to face each other firmly. "