Minamata, Kumamoto
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Minamata 水俣市 |
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 Location of Minamata in Kumamoto Prefecture |
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 Minamata
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| Coordinates: 32°13′N 130°24′E / 32.217°N 130.400°ECoordinates: 32°13′N 130°24′E / 32.217°N 130.400°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Kyushu | |
| Prefecture | Kumamoto Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Katsuaki Miyamoto | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 162.88 km2 (62.89 sq mi) | |
| Population (May 2008) | ||
| • Total | 27,856 | |
| • Density | 171/km2 (440/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Sakura | |
| • Flower | Azalea | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 1-1-1, Jinnai, Minamata-shi, Kumamoto-ken 867-8555 |
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| Website | www |
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Minamata (水俣市 Minamata-shi?) is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. It is on the west coast of Kyūshū and faces Amakusa islands. Minamata was established as a village in 1889, re-designated as a town in 1912 and grew into a city in 1949.
As of 2012, the city has an estimated population of 26,460 and a population density of 162 persons per km². The total area is 162.88 km².
Minamata is known due to Minamata disease, a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning. The disease was discovered in 1956. A local chemical plant was blamed for causing the disease by emitting untreated wastewater to the Minamata Bay.
Lately, Minamata has focused on becoming a model environmental city. In 1999, the city obtained the ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management. In 2001, Minamata became an official Japanese Eco-town. In 2004 and 2005, Minamata won the Japanese Top Eco-City contest
The city is best known as the former site of an environmental disaster caused by industrial pollution of the bay with mercury. From 1932 to 1968, the chemical company Chisso discharged effluent containing methyl mercury from their plant in Minamata. Methyl mercury contaminated the Minamata Bay and accumulated in fish, which were then consumed by the local population.
In 1968 the discharge of poisonous effluent was ceased due to discontinuation of acetaldehyde production at the Chisso factory. However, the sea sediment as well as fish remained contaminated and so measures were taken to counteract the effects. In 1975, the bay was fenced by fishing nets. A sludge dredging project was initiated in 1977 and continued till 1990. During the project, 784,000m3 of sludge was dredged and 582,000 m2 of land was reclaimed. On July 29, 1997, a Minamata Bay Safety Declaration was issued, nets had been removed and the environment was pronounced safe.
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