7 : WHAT COMPENSATION DO THE PATIENTS RECEIVE?

The March 1973 decision in the Minamata disease trial was a victory for the patients, and in July of that year the patients and Chisso concluded a compensation agreement through direct negotiations. Under this agreement, Chisso made lump sum consolation payments of between 16 million and 18 million yen to certified patients. In addition, costs for annuities, medical treatment, nursing, funeral expenses, hot spring treatment, and acupuncture and moxibustion treatments are paid. Also, the interest from a reserve fund set up by Chisso pays for diapers, home help, condolence gifts, massage treatments, and transportation to and from hospitals.

Moreover, for those who have not applied for certification but meet certain requirements such as loss of sensation in all four extremities and having eaten large amounts of fish and shellfish, Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures pay medical costs not covered by health insurance, and expenses for other medical treatment (17,200 to 23,500 yen per month as of November 2000) through their comprehensive Minamata disease treatment program.

Based on the national government's 1995 Final Settlement Plan, an agreement was concluded with Chisso in 1996 under which those (including patients already deceased) who met certain medical requirements received lump sum payments of 2.6 million yen on the condition that they not press for further compensation in the future.

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