Japan mercury-poisoning victims demand tests, 60 years later
TOKYO — The Tokyo District Court has rejected a civil lawsuit demanding that tests into food toxicity and illnesses required by law be carried out for “Minamata disease” poisoning.
Doctor Toshihide Tsuda, who sued, said Wednesday he would appeal the court’s decision.
Minamata disease, one of Japan’s worst environmental disasters, refers to mercury poisoning from eating fish and shellfish.
Thousands of people were sickened or crippled from the mercury leaks by chemical company Chisso Corp., which continued for more than a decade.