Nearly forty years after the outbreak of the "Minamata Disease," it remains one of the most horrific examples of environmental poisoning. Based on primary documents and interviews, this book describes three rounds of responses to this incidence of mercury poisoning, focusing on the efforts of its victims and their supporters, particularly the activities of grassroots movements and popular campaigns, to secure redress.

Timothy S. George argues that Japan's postwar democracy is ad hoc, fragile, and dependent on definition through citizen action and that the redress effort is exemplary of the great changes in the second and third postwar decades that redefined democracy in Japan.

About the Author
Timothy S. George is Professor of History at the University of Rhode Island.

Reviews
This is the first account, in any language, which covers the controversies surrounding the infamous mercury poisoning in Minamata in southern Kyushu over the time frame of ninety years, from the founding of the factory which caused the pollution, up to the settlement for compensation reached in 1995... George's monograph provides an excellent point of departure for further inquiries. -- Anja Osiander * Social Science Journal *


Awards
Nominated for John K. Fairbank Prize in East Asian History 2001 and Harold and Margaret Sprout Award 2002 and PROSE Awards 2001.



Book Information
ISBN 9780674007857
Author Timothy S. George
Format Paperback
Page Count 424
Imprint Harvard University, Asia Center
Publisher Harvard University, Asia Center
Weight(grams) 585g