Minamata

Minamata in southern Kumamoto once hit the international headlines when a local factory disposed of its wastes into Minamata Bay. As a result of this reckless act, thousands of its inhabitants fell prey to mercury poisoning. The disease which resulted from mercury poisoning has since then been termed as Minamata Disease. This occurred way back in the 1950s and 1960s.

Today, however, Minamata has overcome the catastrophe that has destroyed the lives of many. Perhaps it is the challenge that gave its citizens the drive. Yet whatever their inspiration is, the local inhabitants of Minamata have created an environmental model city – a far cry from the situation about half a century ago!

Today, Minamata welcomes tourists of all sorts – but only if they are friends of the environment. Major attractions include hot spring resorts, farms, and the eco city itself. Indeed, the locals here have shown how a community can rise above a disaster and turn it into something good.

[tags]Japan, Minamata, Minamata Disease, eco city, environment, hot springs, tourist attraction[/tags]

Do you like this article? Submit it to Blogosphere News!

Posted February 21st, 2007 by geisha |