Abstract
In the high economic growth period of the 1960s air pollution occurred frequently due to rapid industrialization and regional development. In polluted areas, a large number of victims stood together and filed lawsuits. This resulted in a series of trials that demanded the pollution be prohibited and that compensation be provided for victims. In the late 1990s, a milestone that led to “reconciliation” between the victims and those responsible for the pollution was reached. Since then, many efforts have been made for local revival in polluted areas.
This paper presents a case study of the Kurashiki pollution lawsuit, which involved people near the Mizushima industrial complex in Okayama prefecture. It outlines the role the air pollution opposition movement played in the above lawsuit, focusing on the influence the “local revival movement” had in gaining sympathy and support for the lawsuit. In addition, the situation in Mizushima is re-examined in the present
day, 20 years after reconciliation was said to have been achieved by the Kurashiki pollution lawsuit.
There are two main findings from the case study. First, the role the local revival movement has played is significant, as it has allowed victims of pollution who could not participate in early community development activities to play a key role in town planning for “revival of a polluted area” instead. Second, the Mizushima Foundation, which was established as part of the terms of the lawsuit settlement, has made it possible for the local revival movement to continue.
