Photo/Illutration Environment Minister Shintaro Ito, left, listens to Minamata disease patients after apologizing for ministry staff cutting off their microphones in Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, on May 8. (Soichiro Yamamoto)

What is the primary mission of the Environment Ministry?

During the period of Japan’s rapid economic growth, environmental pollution and its serious consequences, including Minamata disease, became serious social problems.

In 1971, the Environment Agency, the predecessor of the Environment Ministry, was established with a core mission of standing by the people affected, including the victims.

Environment Minister Shintaro Ito should recognize that the fundamental integrity of his ministry is being questioned.

On May 1, which marked 68 years since the official recognition of Minamata disease, the minister and eight organizations of patients and their supporters met in the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, where the disease caused by seawater polluted with methyl mercury was first identified in 1956.

During the meeting, a ministry official cut off the microphone several times while participants spoke.

Each organization was allotted only three minutes to speak, and the microphone was cut off when someone exceeded this time.

Initially, the participating groups cooperated with the proceedings, but when a man who was speaking passionately about his wife, who died without being recognized as a victim of Minamata disease, had his microphone cut off, it led to an eruption of anger and protest.

It was nothing short of an outrage.

In particular, Ito is seriously responsible for what happened. He watched the confusion at the venue without giving any instructions on how to respond.

He initially dismissed the criticism about the way the meeting was managed with detached remarks that downplayed the problem, such as, "I was not aware (of the microphone being cut off)” and "I was able to hear every word spoken.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Ito mentioned it was “an important opportunity to hear your stories,” but it seemed as if he was just taking it as nothing but his cursory duty.

As he listened to their tales, the minister said he was feeling “a pull at his heartstrings,” but his words sounded hollow.

While the patient side demanded an apology and a second meeting, Ito offered apologies at an emergency news conference on May 8 and then visited Minamata to personally apologize to the two people whose microphones were cut off.

He also announced his intention to review the way the annual meeting is managed, but he must reflect on the basic problem with the arrangement that limits the time allocated to each organization to just three minutes, which is clearly too short to sincerely hear their voices.

The role of the Environment Ministry should not be limited to merely listening to the victims.

The rulings regarding Minamata disease and Niigata Minamata disease handed down by district courts in Osaka, Kumamoto and Niigata since last year underscored the grim reality that many Minamata disease patients still fall outside the legal framework of relief measures.

In efforts to resolve the disputes over relief for Minamata disease patients, the government has twice in the past attempted to settle the claims politically. However, the application of these measures was limited by such factors as year of birth and place of residence.

People who have not been eligible for the relief measures are seeking compensation through legal actions.

The plaintiffs, many of whom are advanced in age and passing away, hope for broader relief through discussions with the government. However, it does not take much thought or imagination to see that the administration is reluctant to offer further relief measures.

Ito stated that, "Minamata disease is the origin of the birth of the Environment Ministry."

That means that he should persuade the prime minister's office and the Justice Ministry to engage in sincere discussions with the victims. It is precisely the ministry's role to advocate for the victims within the government.

--The Asahi Shimbun, May 9

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