25 April 2026, Puerto Princesa City/Quezon City.  In response to the decision of the Fukuoka High Court last Thursday rejecting claims by seven victims of mercury poisoning, IPEN (a network of 676 public interest groups from 133 countries), reiterated its solidarity with the survivors and called for justice for all Minamata disease sufferers. Over 100 citizen scientists, academics, campaigners, and activists across the world gathered in Puerto Princesa City for the IPEN Global Meeting from April 20 to 24.

The seven Minamata plaintiffs sought a court ruling to include them as Minamata disease victims under Japan’s Pollution-Related Health Damage Compensation Act. Minamata disease was first recognized in the mid-1950s, as a result of years of mercury dumping by Chisso Corporation, a chemical company located in Minamata, Japan. The dumping of contaminated seafood in Minamata Bay has been poisoning residents for decades and causing health problems across generations.

Now seven decades on, Minamata mercury poisoning survivors, well into their 70s, still face a grueling battle for recognition, relief, and justice. Almost nine years after the Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force, the victims of the mercury poisoning tragedy for which it is named are still waiting for full justice and resolution.

“IPEN fully supports the righteous cause of the Minamata disease survivors and their support groups.  We support their demands for recognition, fair compensation, and the implementation of a healthcare system to ensure their long-term well-being and security,” declared IPEN.  “To the Minamata disease sufferers and your support groups, you are not alone!  We stand by you in your struggle for healing and justice.”

IPEN actively participated in the development of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and has contributed to the negotiations at every session since its first intergovernmental negotiating conference. IPEN advocates for a healthy and toxic-free future.

Minamata@60 seminar in Bangkok City.

Minamata@60 seminar in Quezon City.

In 2016-2017, the EARTH-Thailand and the EcoWaste Coalition-Philippines organized Minamata@60 seminars in Bangkok and Quezon City to discuss the lessons learned from Japan’s worst industrial disaster and how to apply such lessons for a sustainable future.  The seminars were co-organized by the Collaboration Center for Minamata Disease Victims, the Minamata Disease Victim Mutual Aid Society, and other groups.  Balifokus (now Nexus3) also organized a discussion and social media campaign to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1956 recognition of the Minamata disease.

Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. It is named after Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture, where the first outbreak of this disease occurred in the early 1950s.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include ataxia, numbness in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, narrowing of the field of vision, and damage to hearing and speech. In extreme cases, paralysis, coma, and death can occur. A congenital form of mercury poisoning can also affect fetuses in the womb.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force on August 16, 2017.  The treaty aims to protect public health and the environment from human-caused emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.

##########
Reference:
https://ipen.org/articles/court-denies-justice-minamata-disease-survivors