Greetings from the Director General

In consideration of the fact that Minamata disease marked the outset of industrial pollution in Japan, coupled with its complex historical backdrop and social significance, the National Institute for Minamata Disease (NIMD) was founded in October 1978 as a center for the advancement of research on Minamata disease. After it became a WHO-designated collaborative research center in 1986, it worked actively in advancing mercury research in cooperation with UNEP. Then in July 1996, it was reorganized to its present form to enhance its research functions by harnessing its feature as the place of origin of Minamata disease and has since been working on various activities, including performing comprehensive and international surveys and research and collecting and disseminating information related to Minamata disease, and offering training opportunities in that area.
In the course of more than 40 years since its founding, the social and international landscapes surrounding Minamata disease and mercury problems have changed drastically, a situation that gives the role played by NIMD an ever-growing importance, and thus calls for further enhancement of our research and operations to address them appropriately.
We are making steady progress in our research and operations in line with our 2020 Mid-Term Plan and also work vigorously on delivering information in and outside of Japan with an enhanced administrative and management framework and research environment.
We are committed to stepping up efforts so as to fulfil the role of NIMD as a center of international mercury research, to carry out our duties stemming from our location being the place of origin of Minamata disease and to make further contributions to environmental administration.