Kirk here. In my view, the arbitrary drawing of lines is part of what is behind …

Kirk here. In my view, the arbitrary drawing of lines is part of what is behind this disappointing decision in the Minamata disease saga. Another issue is the argument that “symptoms could have been caused by something other than the condition.” Even though it is acknowledged fact that Chisso poisoned the fish that the plaintiffs consumed and that mercury poisoning can cause the kinds of symptoms the plaintiffs are suffering from, the plaintiffs are still forced to prove that their illnesses could not have been caused by something else. Such logic protects the polluters and puts an unfair burden of proof on the victims. :(