Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan
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The Four Big Pollution Diseases of Japan (四大公害病 yondaikōgaibyō?) were manmade ailments all caused by environmental pollution due to improper handling of industrial wastes by Japanese corporations. Although some cases of these diseases occurred as early as 1912, most occurred in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
| Name of disease | Cause | Blame | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minamata disease | mercury poisoning | Chisso's chemical factory | 1957 |
| Niigata Minamata disease (Second Minamata disease) |
mercury poisoning | Shōwa Electrical Works | 1965 |
| Yokkaichi Asthma | sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide | air pollution in Yokkaichi | 1961 |
| Itai-itai disease | cadmium poisoning | mining in Toyama Prefecture | 1912 |
Due to lawsuits, publicity, and other actions against the corporations responsible for the pollution, as well as the creation of the Environmental Agency in 1971, increased public awareness, and changes in the practices of the responsible companies, the incidence of these diseases declined after the 1970s.
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