The Minamata mercury victims received a big blow from the Japanese government. As you can see in the story below, the government set a deadline for accepting claims, in spite of many more undetected/unrecognized Minamata cases prevail. "Redress with a deadline set is not redress. The government should accept applications as long as there are victims." "To set the deadline is to sacrifice patients." From The Mainichi, August 1, 2012 Minamata patients denounce deadline for redress applications as 'historic outrage' http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120801p2a00m0na007000c.html ======================================================= FYI The Japanese government stopped accepting applications for its redress under the Minamata special law on Tuesday July 31 as scheduled. Victims groups are making strong protests against the government decision as reported by the following newspapers in Japan. Minamata issues are not yet resolved even after 56 years. No responsibility or no obligation is required for polluters and governments under the INC4 text of Article 14 Contaminated Sites. Can Japanese government really propose to name the Mercury Treaty the Minamata Convention? Minamata patients denounce deadline for redress applications as 'historic outrage' August 1, 2012 The Mainichi http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20120801p2a00m0na007000c.html EDITORIAL Justice for all Minamata victims The Japan Times Saturday, July 28, 2012 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20120728a1.html EDITORIAL: Relief program for Minamata disease patients must be kept open The Asahi Shimbun July 21, 2012 http://ajw.asahi.com/article/views/editorial/AJ201207210061