新日本窒素の石油化学転換と水俣病

-清水 洋論文への反論-

抄録

1. The first point at issue is whether Chisso considered Minamata Disease as well as economic factors when it decided to expand into petrochemicals.
The only period during which Minamata Disease could have possibly influenced Chisso's petrochemical plan was from July 1959 to December 1959. During this period, Chisso's executives would not admit that Minamata factory was the cause of Minamata Disease, so they did not take any appropriate measures. There was no scheme to scrap the acetaldehyde plant in Minamata at that time.
Chisso continued to operate the old plant although the petrochemical plants were completed.
To conclude, Chisso's changeover to petrochemicals was promoted independent of Minamata Disease and only based on economic considerations.
2. The second point at issue is whether Chisso increased its acetaldehyde production by obtaining a license.
In Japan's second petrochemical plan, the main product was polypropylene and acetaldehyde was secondary. In January 1961, four companys' plans were presented to the government authorities, and all four plans were approved. Chisso was the top company in the acetaldehyde industry, which justified approval of its plan.