Sharing the Experiences from Multiple Anti-pollution Movements

- Contribution of the Jishu-koza KOGAI Genron as a Telephone Switchboard of Experiences -

Abstract

  This article discusses the learning experiences that the Japanese anti-pollution movements from the 1960s- 70's inevitably imparted. Jun Ui (1932-2006), who was a famous scientist, critic, and activist in the field of pollution problems, especially Minamata disease, deeply respected non-academic people who struggled to tell neighbors about the pollution problem in their community. He respected them like the master of the science movement. They did not accept development plans introduced from outside of the community. They voluntarily researched about the possibilities of the pollution and attempted to create an arena for discussion. The learning activities raised the will to disclose the covert social discrimination structure, and change the social system. Those movements were connected to several networks which have the ability to support them by supplying scientific information about pollution problems. By the instrumentality of the network, activists were able to share their multiple experiences in different places, and felt great sympathy. This paper describes the "Jishu-koza KOGAI Genron (a voluntary public lecture on pollution problems by citizens and students)" at The University of Tokyo as the one of those networks. Ui often called Jishu-koza “a telephone switchboard of experiences” because the main job of the members in Jishu-koza was to introduce an action group to another one that has similar issues. It is an important fact that they exchanged their experiences including not only scientific information but also their failures to each other through the Jishu-koza network. It is necessary to reconsider the meaning of this intercommunication.