URGENT NEWS CONFERENCE
Minamata Victims Speak on Passage of Diet Bill

The speech and Q & A will be in English and Japanese with English interpretation.

On Wednesday (July 8) the Diet is expected to pass the bill recognizing more victims of Minamata disease -- Japan's worst industrial pollution disaster. The bill has been proposed to compensate victims but some sufferers contend it actually will open the way for the Chisso Corp. to rid itself of responsibility for compensation.

To coincide with the bill's expected passage the FCCJ welcomes several speakers, including Yoichi Tani of the Minamata Victims Mutual Aid Society, Takeko Kato of Hot House and a former committee member of the Minamata Kondankai and Aileen Mioko Smith, co-author of "Minamata."

Several victims will also be present to give their view on the bill.

Please join us for this important news conference.

Yoichi Tani

Takeko Kato

Aileen Mioko Smith