A book published to mark the 50th anniversary of Minamata disease's official recognition offers compelling accounts of the initial outbreak, the long years of suffering, and how -- after half a century -- problems caused by the industrial mercury-poisoning are still not resolved.
"Fifty Years of Minamata Disease," written by 106 contributors, was compiled by a special office set up by the city of Minamata, Kumamoto Prefecture, and groups of sufferers.
The book includes the reminiscences of a wide range of people affected by the disease, including patients, lawyers and local officials.