Investigation of causes, and moves for protecting health and lives
Various theories were given as to the cause of Itai-Itai Disease, but the residents, who had suffered for a long time, went to court demanding a solution for health damage caused by the cadmium released from Kamioka Mine. The residents won the case, helped in part by government opinion, and the struggle for cause investigation came to an end. At once, residents and Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co. made an agreement to start efforts toward relieving victims and restoring the environment. Investigation of causes, and moves for protecting health and lives Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company Kamioka Mine Photo Book Itai-itai Disease becames a Pollution Disease The disease of unknown cause that had inflicted pain on residents in the basin of the Jinzugawa River was introduced in newspapers as “Itai-itai Disease” in 1955. Furthermore, the disease had started to attract attention because it had been discussed by the Japan Surgical Association. Thus, a great many researchers, including those at the prefectural and national levels, began to actively conduct research in an attempt to locate the cause of the disease.