Minamata Bay Mercury Poisoning Begins to Claim Victims.

Kyūshū Region (Japan); Japan

Minamata Bay is a part of the Shiranui Sea, which forms the western boundary of Japan’s southernmost island, Kyūshū. The area is characterized by clusters of homes organized into small villages that are in proximity to the downtown center of Minamata. Throughout its history, this region has been predominantly an agricultural and fishing area. To stimulate the local economy, the Chisso Corporation, a carbide and fertilizer company, was encouraged to build a factory in Minamata in 1907. In 1932, the Chisso Corporation expanded into petrochemicals and began the production of acetaldehyde, a material used for making plastics, at the Minamata factory. By 1950, acetaldehyde production had increased dramatically.