Minamata marks 70th anniv. of recognition of mercury-poisoning disease

KUMAMOTO, Japan - A memorial service for victims of Minamata disease caused by severe mercury poisoning was held in the southwestern city of the same name on Friday, marking the 70th anniversary of the official recognition of sufferers in one of Japan's worst industrial pollution disasters.

With many aging victims of the neurological disease still seeking relief, participants, including patients and victims' families, offered prayers and vowed efforts to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again.