Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Improvement History

• Commemorating the opening of the Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Miraikan, the book is now available in stores only on the first floor of "Soranpo Yokkaichi"! (PDF: 168KB)

(Japanese, English, Chinese: 2,000 yen each including tax)

In the 1950s, as the economy continued to grow, Japan's first large-scale petrochemical complex was built in Yokkaichi City and began full-scale operations. However, the oil-containing wastewater discharged from the complex caused foul-smelling fish, water pollution, foul odors, and air pollution due to sulfur oxides, which resulted in a health hazard called "Yokkaichi asthma. This book introduces the history of the pollution, the implementation of pollution control measures by Mie Prefecture and Yokkaichi City (measurement of sulfur oxides, free medical care for pollution patients, total volume control, etc.), and the development of pollution control technology by companies, and conveys the lessons for environmental preservation learned from this experience.