Taking the Pollution (Kogai) Experiences into the Future: An Example of Public History Practice
摘要
In the latter half of the twentieth century, environmental pollution (kogai) in Japan severely damaged human health and the natural environment, which was the result of national policies that prioritized industrialization and urbanization during the period of rapid economic growth. This chapter discusses the initiatives of people in the Mizushima district of Kurashiki City to learn about the difficult past of pollution (kogai) and pass it on to future generations. Such activities can be seen in pollution-affected areas across the country, and they have led to the establishment and networking of pollution museums in Japan.