Analysis of Factors Affecting Pollution Control Measures at Copper Mines in the Meiji Era

Abstract

In the Meiji era, large environmental disasters occurred in the Ashio, Besshi, and Hitachi copper mines. However, the pollution control measures in these mines were not the same and we examine the reasons for such differences. We investigate socioeconomic condition at that time and differences in anti-pollution movements, government policy, location and manager of each copper mine, and clarify these differences. These difference have affected pollution control measures at copper mines.