Japanese poisoning victims hear apology

MIAMATA, Japan, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The Japanese government apologized Sunday for the delay in dealing with a mercury poisoning outbreak.

Environment Minister Goshi Hosono met last week with local victims of Minamata disease, named after the town in Japan where the Chisso Corp. discharged mercury-tainted water into the ocean several decades ago, expressing regret for the lack of resolution of the issue. A special law in 2010 offered victims of the neurological disease, caused by exposure to the poisoned water, lump-sum payments of 2.1 million yen ($27,300) and monthly medical allowances of up to 17,700 yen ($230).

The law stipulates that potential recipients have three years, beginning in May 2010, to seek redress, but Minamata support organizations have requested the government not set any deadlines, Kyodo News reported.

The illness, which also can cause physical deformities, was officially categorized as a disease in 1956.