Concluding Remarks
Japan currently produces no mercury from primary mining, and the consumption of mercury has been reduced to some one two hundred and fiftieths of the peak-time consumption in 1964 through the conscious efforts of industries and other stakeholders. Efforts to make mercury-free products are still continuing, and it is expected that the demand for mercury in Japan will further decline in the coming years. Meanwhile, used products containing mercury are actively collected with the cooperation of citizens, local governments, industries and others. Along with mercury contained in industrial by-products, mercury in products is recovered by an environmentally sound method using appropriate technologies developed over the years. Japanese society today is one in which everyone can enjoy life with little threat of mercury to the environment and human health as a result of the conscious and committed efforts of all actors.
Japan's high economic growth period, however, set economic growth as a priority over the environment and human health. Having learned vital lessons from the misery caused by Minamata Disease and other painful manifestations of pollution as a consequence of this misconceived priority, pollution control measures and environmental policies made giant steps forward although Japan paid an incalculable price in the process. Even after more than 50 years since the official acknowledgement of Minamata Disease, there are still victims suffering from the symptoms of Minamata Disease and those with concerns regarding their health.
It is Japan's sincere wish to see other countries becoming fully aware of the importance of environmental consideration based on Japan's experiences and lessons learned, and establishing a sustainable society without experiencing the misery of pollution, such as Minamata Disease, while preventing environmental pollution. To achieve this wish, Japan, a country that experienced Minamata Disease, is determined to continually provide its knowledge and technologies based on its own experience to the rest of the world in order to contribute to reducing risks posed by mercury and to realising the "Minamata Convention". It will also make efforts to establish a society which is free from health damage and environmental pollution caused by harmful substances.