Learning from Minamata in the Era of Globalization
Karen Colligan-Taylor and Michael S. Taylor
What could the Minamata story possibly tell us in this grand new age of Globalization? Surprisingly, there is much to learn. Globalization offers exciting opportunities but equally compelling challenges to the human way of life. There is a tug-of-war between the information rich, networked, high-tech, free-trading, and empowering world-without-walls, and the traditional, local, sheltered world of home and hearth. This is the contest of The Lexus and the Olive Tree described by best-selling author Thomas Friedman.
It is increasingly clear that the countries, communities and businesses that will survive and prosper in the Global environment will be those in which people observe and respect strong democratic traditions. Success will accrue where everyday people have a place at the table, a share in the opportunities, and a real say in their governance. Successful individuals, communities, businesses, and countries in this global environment will demonstrate integrity, transparency and a respect for the rule of law. And particularly important, they will protect and sustain a healthy local natural environment.
On the other hand, those who ignore or flout the highest standards of democracy, integrity, openness, and environmental protection will be severely punished sooner or later, in a world market where increasingly everybody knows what everyone else is doing, and where business investment and opportunities can ebb and flow with global perceptions of local conditions.
The Minamata story illustrates what happens when unethical and irresponsible industrial firms and government elites place short term profits above the needs for sustainable communities and healthy environments. We know now what terrible human tragedy can result when local people are denied democratic participation and basic human rights. Ultimately the damage in Minamata was not limited to the downtrodden. Chisso Corporation, once a jewel in Japan's industrial crown, paid the high price of bankruptcy, public hfoot_blliation, and loss of reputation. Whatever short-term profits were realized in the decades during which Chisso dumped mercury-containing wastes into Minamata Bay are now long gone. Today Chisso's entire economic output goes to pay reparations and health care costs for those so terribly wronged. Unable to meet its obligations without continual prefectural support, Chisso has itself become a ward of the State. Kumamoto Prefecture, complicit as it was in Chisso's decades of pollution, helped pay to bury (not remove) the most contaminated sediments of Minamata Bay, and continues today to support the health care of thousands of victims. The entire region still smarts from the stigmatization of one of the world's worst pollution incidents.
But Minamata today is also a bright example of the triumph of democratic action against terrible odds. As residents of this remote coastal community struggled to be heard, and to force corporate executives and governmental bureaucrats to take responsibility for their actions, they initiated democratic processes in a country that had no such tradition (see Timothy S. George, Minamata: Pollution and the Struggle for Democracy in Postwar Japan). In Rowing the Eternal Sea, the Story of a Minamata Fisherman, we learn from Ogata Masato that we cannot expect others to take care of us and our environment, and that no government payments or court judgments can match the empowerment we gain by taking responsibility for ourselves, our communities and our collective futures.
Minamata today is a community turning adversity to competitive advantage. Their "olive trees" grow wonderful organic oranges (amanatsukan) . Their quality produce is marketed as a demonstration of the care and dedication of people who understand better than most the absolute importance of a healthy environment. Each mikan carries Minamata's message to the world. May the world savor it with each delicious bite!
Karen Colligan-Taylor
Karen Colligan-Taylor earned her Ph.D. in
Japanese at Stanford University, focusing
on environmental literature and cultural
ecology. She is Professor emerita of Japanese
studies at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
In 2001, she translated Rowing the Eternal Sea, the Story of a Minamata Fisherman, into English. Currently she works as a writer, translator,
and consultant from her home in southeast
Alaska.
Michael S. Taylor
Michael S. Taylor has a B.S. in mechanical
engineering and an M.S. in biology. He works
as a professional engineer and certified
industrial hygienist.
Copyright(C) SOSHISHA. All rights reserved.