Significant Event Concerning Itai-itai Disease

• 1889　Mitsui-Gumi obtained the mining concession for all of Kamioka Mine
• 1896　Newspaper reported agricultural damage in the Jinzugawa River basin
• 1910's-1930's　Outbreak of Itai-itai Disease
  The agricultural and fishery organizations in the Jinzugawa River basin complained of the mineral poison damage from Kamioka Mine The prefecture granted subsidies for precipitation pools at rice fields’irrigation inlets
• 1955　August　"The Itai-itai Disease" reported in newspapers for the first time
  October　The first conference presentation where the name "Itai-itai Disease" was used (The 17th Japan Surgical Association Conference)
• 1956　February　The theory that the cause is malnutrition and hard labor published (The Clinical Nutrition, No.2, Vol.9)
• 1957　December　The theory that the cause is mineral poison published (The 12th Toyama Prefecture medical convention)
• 1961　June　The theory that the cause is cadmium published (The 34th Conference of Japanese Orthopedic Association)
  December　Toyama Prefecture Study Committee on local special diseases established
• 1966　November　Council of Countermeasures for Itai-itai Disease established
• 1967　June　The Ministry of Health & Welfare commissioned the research to the Itai-itai Disease research team of Japan Public Health Association
  The Council of Countermeasures for Itai-itai Disease started negotiation with Kamioka Mine about reparation
  July　The prefecture began research on the actual health conditions of residents in the Jinzugawa River basin
  December　Three victims of Itai-itai Disease petitioned the Ministers of Health & Welfare and of International Trade & Industry for relief aid
  The prefecture, on its own accord, certified the first Itai-itai Disease victim
• 1968　January　The lawyers’ group was organized for the Itai-itai Disease lawsuit
  March　The first suit requesting compensation by Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company to the victims was filed
  From then until July 1971, seven lawsuits (182 cases) were filed
  May　The opinion of Ministry of Health & Welfare was published (Itai-itai Disease recognized as caused by pollution)
• 1970　February　The Jinzugawa River basin area was designated under a special measures law, concerning the relief of health damage caused by pollution
  Since then, relief of the Itai-itai Disease victims are being carried out according to the law
  The court made decision to allow cost deferment for trial
• 1971　June　At the first trial, the victims won the case, and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company appealed
• 1972　August　At the second trial, the victims won the case completely
  Between the victims and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company, three documents were signed: promissory letter for compensation to the victims of Itai-itai Disease, pledge for restoration of polluted land, and agreement for prevention of public hazard
  November　Based on the agreement for prevention of public hazard, the first on-site inspection was conducted (200 residents, 26 experts such as scientists)
• 1977　November　Designation of 1500.6 hectares of polluted farming land needing restoration measures was completed
• 1978　February　The first specialty on-site inspection conducted
• 1979　March　Pollution caused by leakage from the waterway found at on-site inspection
• April　The health examination of the residents conducted as a commissioned project by the Environmental Agency (presently Ministry of the Environment)
• 1980　February　Work began on the polluted farming land restoration (area 1). Through 1992, work is planned and started up through area 3
• 1987　August　The disposal method of the slag left from extracting zinc from Kamioka Mine was changed from dry-method to wet-method
  For the first time, an area of polluted farming land needing restoration measure was delisted
  Since then, areas continue to be delisted
• 1997　February　Restoration measures planned in the area of restricted rice distribution
• 2001　June　Mining of zinc and lead minerals at Kamioka Mine ended
• 2009　June　Prefecture established the Investigative Commission for Succession of Itai-itai Disease Related Materials
• 2010　February　The Investigative Commission for Succession of Itai-itai Disease Related Materials submitted the report to the prefecture containing the idea of establishing a museum
  March　Prefecture decided on a fundamental plan for creating the Itai-itai Disease Museum
• 2011　June　Began construction work of Toyama Prefectural Itai-itai Disease Museum
• 2012　March　Completion of restoring the lands in the designated areas
  April　Toyama Prefectural Itai-itai Disease Museum was opened