Management and utilization of documents and materials from Minamata Disease Archives

Significance of historical materials in the research on Minamata disease

Abstract

Minamata Disease Archives is an institution attached to the National Institute for Minamata Disease, Ministry of the Environment. Minamata Disease Archives collects and manages historical documents and materials for academic research on Minamata disease as a Prime Minister authorized administrative archives. Items collected by Minamata Disease Archives are excluded from the “Administrative Document” that is managed pursuant to the Public Records and Archives Management Act. Minamata Disease Archives is legally required to offer the collected material for generalized use under the necessary protection of personal information. Minamata Disease Archives is expected to contribute to the spread of knowledge about Minamata disease and methylmercury toxicity, and for the development of research in related fields. The present paper describes the role of Minamata Disease Archives and also introduces examples of research that utilized different materials on Minamata disease from the archives.