Japan 7 days

Minamata disease patient bears witness to the World (2013x4)

Data di messa in onda: Feb 01, 2013

56 years have passed since the official recognition of Minamata disease, a condition caused by exposure to discarded mercury. Sickness and environmental pollution related to mercury occur in many parts of the world every year. This year, however, the United Nations finally agreed on the first treaty regulating its sale and use. One patient in Kumamoto continues to tell the story of what happened in Minamata, to prevent a recurrence. Masami Ogata lost his father and grandfather to the disease, and 20 of his relatives have been diagnosed as suffering from it. Ogata himself continues to struggle with symptoms unique to the problem. Other News: - Prime Minister Abe delivers policy speech at 183rd ordinary Diet session. - Experts say they can't be certain a fault running beneath Tsuruga nuclear plant is not active. - Boeing 787 battery that caught fire shown to media.