Q5: How many years did it take from the official reporting of Minamata disease until a political solution was attempted?

A5: It took about 40 years.

Commentary:
The problem of compensation for Minamata disease remained unsolved for many years because the issue was before the courts.
However, a political solution was attempted in 1995 by the coalition government of Liberal-Democratic Party, Socialist Party of Japan, and Sakigake New Party, in which payment of a lump sum, resumption of the application for the Comprehensive Measures, and restoration and promotion of the local community were included. This was 39 years after the official reporting of Minamata disease made in 1956.