In Japan, many problems, beginning with but not limited to what are known as the four major cases of pollution damage, "Kumamoto Minamata disease", "Itai-itai disease", "Yokkaichi air pollution", and "Niigata Minamata disease", have been caused.

In particular, after the end of the war in 1945, a high economic growth policy was carried out nation-wide, centering around the chemical and heavy industries. As economic activities became more and more aggressive, many cases of pollution, including water, soil and air contamination, noise and vibration pollution, and food and chemical pollution, were caused in many places in Japan.

Pollution victims battled to win reparation for pollution damage, and environmental pollution control from the Japanese government and companies.

Especially in the areas having serious air pollution, pollution victims throughout Japan ramped up their efforts and allied together to establish "The Japan Air Pollution Victims Association", ramping up the efforts.

In this web site, we focus on and introduce "air pollution" from among many pollution issues.

Designated pollution victims in Japan (Dec. 1988)
After the Pollution-Related Health Damage Compensation Law was enacted in 1973, the government certified certain areas as contaminated.
● : Air pollution ● : Water and soil pollution

History of air pollution in Japan

Q & A to deepen the understanding of the activities.