http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ed20120728a1.html
Also many of those afflicted hesitate to file the application, fearful of prejudice and discrimination against people who suffer from Minamata disease, a neurological disorder.
In view of this, the government should not close the path for relief by sticking to the deadline, which itself is arbitrary.
As I read this kind of news, I have more distrust on the ability of the government to rescue the victims of "man-made disasters."
The reasons why the Minamata disease has been prolonged are complicated, but perhaps we should pay more attention to how the government, Chisso and local people have been related to each other. One thing I learned is that because Minamata was the "company castle town" of Chisso, many residents coundn't raise their voice against it.
