[Column 3] Story Teller Programme
In January 1993, the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum was opened to pass on the experiences and lessons of Minamata Disease to subsequent generations for the purpose of never repeating this disasterous pollution. This was followed by the opening of the Niigata Learning Centre for Humans and the Environment: Niigata Prefecture Minamata Disease Museum in August 2001. By October 2010, some 700,000 people have visited the former while some 350,000 people have visited the latter. Both museums have introduced a story teller programme whereby visitors can directly listen to a Minamata Disease patient about his/her experience so that the experiences and lessons of Minamata Disease can be passed on to subsequent generations.
Message from Mr. Hamamoto, President of the Society of Story Tellers at the Minamata Disease Municipal Museum
Story teller programme
Photograph: Minamata Disease Municipal Museum
"I tell this story so that such disasterous pollution as that which caused Minamata Disease will never happen again. While we enjoy an affluent life, we are polluting nature and harming our own health. If we want to continue our convenient and affluent lives in the coming years, we must seek a lifestyle which does not pollute nature and which is grateful to nature. I hope that listeners will feel the awfulness of pollution and understand those things which we human beings should not do so that they can create a 21st Century in which people live with peace of mind."
Ms. Kotake, a Story Teller at the Niigata Learning Center for Humans and the Environment
"I strong believe that we must all treasure water which is essential for our survival and our familiar nature so that the next generations will not have to undergo our experience. The more convenient society becomes, the more it is liable to pollution. I hope that as many people as possible, especially today's young people, will learn about our experience and understand the importance of protecting nature and our environment in the coming years.