5) Promotion of research and investigation
With regard to Minamata Disease, a large number of researches and investigations have been carried out since before, and many facts have been clarified; the clinical feature of Minamata Disease, the mechanism of damage to the living body caused by methylmercury, etc.
The Government has provided broad range of support to these researches and investigations, and has actively carried out its own researches and investigations including establishment of the National Institute of Minamata Disease (NIMD) for comprehensive research program. The Institute was designated as a cooperating institution of WHO in 1986. In 1996, NIMD was reorganized, it is aiming to provide accumulations of Japanese experiences related to the mercury poisoning with the request from other countries, and to make contribution in terms of international cooperation in the field of environmental health.