Minamata City's Basic Environmental Regulations
We, the citizens of Minamata City, have always cherished our area's rich natural resources. However, in recent years, we have experienced environmental destruction and damage to health, unseen anywhere in the world, in the form of Minamata Disease. We therefore understand the sadness of environmental destruction and the difficulty of restoration. The occurrence of this environmental pollution also had a considerable effect on the society of the region. People lost their sense of community and the economy was weakened. Therefore, rather than catering merely to people's material comforts and convenience, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of the environment around us.
From the beginning, life on this earth has had a close relationship with the natural environment. As a part of life on this earth, the human race needs to recognize the importance of raising the standard of maintenance of the environment. We, the people of Minamata, as well as ensuring a healthy and cultural lifestyle for ourselves, must look after the ecology of the region, and construct a society in which the economy strengthens in harmony with the natural environment. Turning the experience of Minamata Disease into a valuable lesson, we will preserve the foundations of our lives: the sea, mountains, and rivers, in order to pass them on to the next generation. We therefore establish the following regulations.
Part One: General Rules
Article 1: Aims
The aims of these regulations are: using the valuable lessons of Minamata Disease to ensure a healthy and cultural lifestyle for citizens; make clear the duties of the City, business holders, and citizens; and plan basic measures for the preservation of a good environment.
Article 2: Passing on to the next generation
The delicate balance of ecology on this earth, and a healthy and cultural lifestyle for its people, depends on the preservation of the limited resources of a good environment. We are working towards having a healthy environment and lifestyle that can be passed on to the next generation.
Article 3: Constructing a society in harmony with the environment
We humans are continuing activities with the knowledge that they have an effect on the environment. We are working towards constructing a society that is able to preserve a healthy and cultural lifestyle whilst continuing economic growth in harmony with the natural environment.
Article 4: Definitions
(1) In these regulations, "a good environment" is defined as a society in which life can prosper in the natural environment, and people can lead a healthy and cultural lifestyle.
(2) In these regulations, "business holders" are defined as people within the city who are conducting businesses.
Article 5: Duties of the City
(1) The City must work to enforce measures to preserve a good environment.
(2) The City must enforce the "Basic Plan" shown below.
(3) The City must work to improve the citizen's consciousness of the environment through education and public information activities.
Article 6: Duties of Business Holders
Business holders must, in keeping with the spirit of these regulations, take responsibility not to harm the environment with their business activities. They must also cooperate with the City in enforcing measures.
Article 7: Duties of the Citizens
Citizens must, in keeping with the spirit of these regulations, take great care of the environment in daily life and work towards the preservation of a good environment. They must also cooperate with the City in enforcing measures.
Part Two: Basic Measures
Article 8: City measures
Based on the regulations established in Article 5 Item 2, the City will take the necessary steps in relation to the following matters.
(1) Matters related to Minamata Disease education.
(2) Prevention of pollution; proper handling of waste; protection of the landscape and cultural assets of the city and its surroundings, other related matters.
(3) Preservation and revival of forests, underground water, rivers, and coastline; improvement of river quality; prevention of coastline pollution; protection of wild flora and fauna; other natural environment related matters.
Article 9: Cooperation with national or regional public groups
The City will, when the need is recognized, cooperate with national or regional public groups for the preservation of a good environment. As well as promoting these Basic Measures, they will also request necessary steps to be taken.
Article 10: Promotion of international transmission and practical application of Minamata Disease lessons
The City will work towards communicating the lesson of Minamata Disease and related lessons, such as the preservation of regional environments and the importance of revival activities, as a warning not only to Japan, but to the rest of the world.
Article 11: Promotion of independent action
The City is working towards taking the necessary steps to promote independent activities concerning the preservation of a good environment.
Article 12: Financial Steps
The City will work towards taking the necessary financial steps relating to promotion of measures established in Article 8 Item 1.
Article 13: Guidance
(1) The City may provide guidance and recommendations to business holders and citizens in order to prevent worsening of the environmental situation.
(2) The City may, when recommendations mentioned in the previous item are not followed, announce the aim or contents of the recommendations.
Part Three: Minamata City Environmental Discussion Group
Article14: Establishment and authority of Discussion Group
(1) The Minamata City Environmental Discussion Group (Discussion Group) will be established in Minamata City.
(2) The Discussion Group will, in consultation with the Mayor, discuss the basic plan and matters relating to the preservation of a good environment.
(3) The Discussion Group may pass on opinions on matters relating to the preservation of a good environment.
Article 15: Composition of the Discussion Group
(1) The Discussion Group will consist of no more than ten members.
(2) The Mayor will appoint new members from people who hold opinions relating to the preservation of a good environment.
(3) Discussion Group members will serve a two-year term. Substitute members will serve only for the remainder of their predecessor's term.
(4) Discussion Group members will be able to serve multiple terms.
Article 16: Entrustment
The mayor will decide on matters relating to the enforcement of the regulations not mentioned in this document.
Supplementary Provisions (Summary)
(1) These regulations will be enforced from the day they are released.