Photo Story

Minamata-Rigidly existing scenery

 I heard the number of victims newly applying the certification of Minamata Disease exceeded 4,000 persons. Present year (2006) is “50 years from the Minamata Disease Official Recognition”. The civil services, including the Ministry of Environment, gave a memorial service and an event on a large scale on May 1, at the recovered land from Minamata Bay, with the attendance of Ms. Koike, Minister for Environment.

 However, the indication of Minamata Disease is still under discussion in the medical science circles. It is said the damage of Minamata Disease case would involved 200 thousands of victims over the Shiranui See area, but the foot is still not appearing its contour. In this circumstances, it will be impossible to work out all right if the civil services try to scheme to close the curtain of Minamata Disease case.

 I visited the first time in December, 1978, to report Minamata. Since then I lived in Minamata for 2 years and over 26 years after moved to Miyazaki, I have continued to shoot at Minamata in some occasions. When I had an opportunity to check the other day, it has been clear I already shot more than 40 thousand of photos.
I am not sure if I could be close even a little to the nature of Minamata Disease case after shooting such 40 thousand of photos, but awaking to gain on the actual conditions of damage, I will convey the charm of the people living at Shiranui Seacoast with its climate, Because I believe this charming “rigidly existing sceneries” is one of the nature deprived by Minamata Disease case.