With the outbreak of Minamata disease, sufferers were placed in the most tragic of circumstances : many died in agony, others were forced to live with a body they could no longer freely control. Compounded with baseless slander, prejudice and discrimination, their torment was not only of the body, but also of the mind. This suffering goes beyond description. Trying to imagine the feelings of the bereaved, a lump forms in my throat. When I look back on the horrifying events of those days, even considering the efforts made to help the patients, I cannot help thinking, "Did we really fulfill our duty?", "We could have done this.", "We should have done that." I recollect that the city of Minamata established The Minamata Unknown Disease Research Committee, and the Meisuien (special accommodation, treatment and rehabilitation center), to assist the patients as much as possible, but I know that we watched helplessly as the patients, citizens of Minamata, suffered. Further, more I feel, regretfully, that had we handled the situation differently, there may perhaps be fewer people still suffering now. For the sake of the victims of Minamata disease I am deeply sorry that we did not do better. I hope that you will forgive us, recognizing our commitment to health, welfare and the environment, and our efforts to develop Minamata as a city which greatly values these things, based on the experiences and lessons of Minamata disease.
Added to the health damage of Minamata disease, there was another tragedy in Minamata, since the assailant and the victims were part of the same small community. The public was morally enraged, and sincerely sympathized with the situations of the patients and their families. However, some, dependent on "Chisso", feared that if the factory were bankrupted, they would lose their livelihoods, and business people feared that they too become bankrupt. Undeniably, people were confused, and horrified at the foreseeable consequences of economic destruction and social disruption. Both the victims and those unaffected by the disease were forced to consider contradictory problems at the same time. Their interpretations of the situation and the positions they took caused complicated arguments and emotions. Therefore, Minamata became a nightmare of disruption. Except for those in the movement requesting the national and prefectural governments to support "Chisso" for their livelihoods, Minamata City, and the citizens too, largely became passive concerning Minamata disease issues. As the cause of Minamata disease became increasingly apparent, they depended more upon the national and prefectural governments.
There was no one reason for this. Much of it was caused by the limitation of the municipal government's authority and role in the resolution of Minamata disease issues. There was also the fear of slander, criticism, discrimination, and confrontation. Although a majority of the citizens were and are very much aware that Minamata's restoration depends on overcoming Minamata disease, close to forty years have passed while we all wonder about what to do and how to achieve it. This has been one of the big reasons for the citizens not reaching agreement about Minamata disease issues, thus delaying resolution until today and causing the stagnation of Minamata. There will be no future for Minamata unless we all stand together to overcome this problem that caused us the greatest misery of all time. Before we broadcast what we have learned here to people all over the world, we must create a new regional culture, overcoming this misery and building a society based on an unprecedented sense of human's value, otherwise the pain and the anger will remain with us forever. All of us, who have lived through the Minamata disease incident, have found out the importance of environment, and the difficulties involved, as well as the effort required, in the preservation of our health. That is why we have the responsibility of setting a new standard for environmental policy based on the philosophy, "health and the environment have the highest priority", and must assist in preventing people from committing foolish acts and destroying the global environment. It is vital that we strive to relieve the victims of Minamata disease.
It is also important that we engage in the task of restoration. We must change the reclaimed land of Minamata Bay, a compensation for victims of Minamata disease, into a proud treasure to leave behind for the next generation, to retrieve the environment that was once lost, and mend the hearts of citizens by restoring their sense of solidarity and their pride and joy in living in Minamata. I notice that some citizens have begun expressing their feelings toward each other by saying, "I'm sorry. I didn't know. It must have been very hard for you", and others who reply, saying "It must have been difficult for you, too." In the midst of confusion and insecurity, some citizens have joined together to place here a stone statue symbolizing their wish for all citizens to start afresh. For those who passed away, so that they may rest in peace, we pledge that from this day forth, we shall reunite and overcome many difficulties of Minamata disease issues, through the understanding that "One must enlighten oneself and respect others" taught in the "Wa of Rakan" (a saying in Buddhism). We will live with the understanding that we, mankind, are a part of nature, and we are sustained by nature. Therefore, we will respect every plant and animal that lives and dies, and will live in a symbiotic relationship with nature and that understand we must exist in harmony. We will continue to appeal to people in Japan and all over the world, so that no one will experience the tragedy of Minamata disease again. I sincerely believe that this will be the best consolation for the departed souls. In closing on my ceremonial address, I would like to pray for the victims families' prosperity, and for the victims' eternal peace.May 1st,
1994
Masazumi Yoshii, Mayor of Minamata City
