Title Trends on Ecology in Japan since 17th Century

Author(s) Ui, Jun

Citation 沖縄大学紀要 = OKINAWA DAIGAKU KIYO(9): 30-44

Issue Date 1992-03-25

URL http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12001/5760

Rights 沖縄大学教養部

t4tmtk~*C~m 9 ~ (1992$)

Trends on Ecology in Japan since the 17th century.

IUD UiIntroduction

When I graduated University of Tokyo, and started my carrier as aproduction engineer in Japanese Oeon Co., I had no idea on the side effect ofmodern science and technology, totally I believed in it. I chose thatprofession for low cost supply of PVC film, which was just introduced to theagriculture, where I was grown. When I returned to the university for thestudy of plastic processing, I heard a news of a strange Minamata Disease, andthe cause was suspected as mercury discharged from Minamata factory. I hadsome experience to discard spent mercury catalyst into the sewer, during mywork in Japanese Geon, in the production of PVC, I wondered whether suchdisease was caused by industrial waste discharge or not. I changed my studyfrom plastic processing to the industrial waste treatment, in the departmentof civil engineering, then gradually found the true cause of the disease, inspite of strong disturbance and pressure from the industry and academy. Icame to a question why such study always faced to difficulty in the history ofJapan, for example on Ashio Copper Mine case in last century, which occuredin Tochigi and Gumma Prefecture where I was grown. I started the study ofthe history of Japanese industrial pollution in personal effort, tryinginterviews to elderly farmers, from Ashio to following industrial pollutionsuch as Hitachi and Arata river cases, in Taisho period, and found the lessonof Ashio was more or less learned by next generations. Unfortunately, in1930's, when Japan went into militarism, such lesson was totally forgotten.

When I got an academic position as a research assistant in the newlyformed Department of Urban Engineering of University of Tokyo, I heard thenews of second Minamata Disease in Agano River near Niigata, I decided todevote my effort to the study of industrial pollution, then I had to face tothe negative side of Japanese industrialization, until now, for a quartercentury. And now I face to a new situation again, a global degradation of theenvironment.

Japanese' industrial pollution was in some phase improved by themovement of victims and citizens, but in other phase remained or went on. Newpollutant is produced and found one by one every month. Pollution is exportedto the developing countries. Now global environment is argued internationallyby political leaders who did not pay attention for the misery of pollutionvictims before, such as Mr.Takeshita, Mr.Bush, and Mrs.Thatcher, and so on.On the other hand, the socialist system, once boasted the environmentalproblems would be automatically solved, was exposed the problems were muchworse in many fields and started to disintegrating.

I had similar situation in Japan in past, especially in 1970's. Until60's, industrial pollution was considered local, periferal issues in remotecountrysides, but after leaq pollution by automobile exhaust gas andphotochemical smog in Tokyo, pollution became national issue, caused an

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explosion of public opmlon, even serious threat to the ruling elites inJapan. As a consequences, dozen laws were prepared and implemented undervery conservative Satou cabinet. Facing to global environmental crisis, wefeel difficulty to find new, reliable theory to solve it. It is beyond mycapability to prepare the solution for this difficult question, but when Ifaced similar difficulty in some 30 years ago, I went back to the history ofJapan, and I found a rich tradition in the memory of old farmers, then I foundmy own way. Similarly, now I tried to make a rough sketch of our traditionalrecord of our ancesters, though it is so rough first step. Fortunately aremarkable progress was achieved in past two decades in the local movements,in nature conservation and anti-pollution, in grass-root level, we have ratherrich resources there.

Part 1 Agriculture and local developmentPopular textbook of agriculture developed in Japan quite early, in the

end of 17 century, when Tokugawa feudal regime was established and peace wascommon nationwide. It was the result of widespread reading and writingcommon education among farmers, about half of farmers had such capability, atthat time. The first textbooks, Seiryouki, and Hyakushoudenki, werehandcopied, so their availability was limited, but rather widely propagated.Then Nougyouzensho was printed, widely used among farmers. After it, someseveral tens of textbooks were prepared by farmers and read by farmers, fromnorthernmost Aomori to southernmost Ishigaki, according to local conditions.Here the preface and a chapter for fertilizer was cited, to show the author'ssincere sense to promote farmers productivity. The author, Miyazaki Yasusadawas a farmer in Fukuoka, travelling widely other countries, using Chinese textas a model, adding his own experience, observation and experiments, editedthis book. There are quite scientific description like fertilizing effect oflegumes and disinfection of seeds by ashe of grasses and woods. It waspublished in 1696 at first, then reprinted a few times, later, became aprototype of such agricultural textbook.

Hyakushoudenki, farmer's story, was written around 1680, the writer isnot known, the description is mostly in Mikawa area near Nagoya. Again theimportance of fertilizers is stressed. The description of flood control andbuilding of dike is especiaUy in detail, such as' grass and willows for theprotection of dikes. This soft technology is surely the point we forgot inmodern time. About same time, in 1680's, Aizu Nousho was written in Aizu,Fukushima area, these books are all describing dozen variation of rice forearly, medium, and late harvest, showing quite high level of speciesselection. After ending internal war, in long-lasting peace, management andtaxation by daimyou-clan was established, so much effort was into agriculturalproduction and cultivation everywhere.

In Okinawa, then Ryukyu dynasty, the prime minister, Sai On, oncestudied in China, wrote Noumuchou and Rinsei Hassho by himself asgovernment order, but they were quite good textbooks for the management ofsoil and forest conservation, including pragmatic pictures and figures. Not

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only an excellent political leader under very difficult condition of thedynasty, controled by Satsuma clan and Chinese Sin dynasty both, but also anengineer who was successful to increase the agrarian production in Ryukyu, hisname is remembered as a national hero until now. It is still important evennow for the protection of nature here in very fragile environment ofsub-tropic small islands.

Among many textbooks in Tokugawa period, Oukura Eijou'sNouekikokusankou is quite specific, in stressing the importance of marketvalue of products and currency appropriation. As an example, here cited hisdescription of sugarcane and its suitable climate conditions, possibleproduction sites. He argued the importance of management and administrationof clan economy system.

After Meiji Restoration, still agriculture was the basic industry ofJapan but political condition was in a drastic change, just same as manydeveloping countries after the independence. Civil wars, inflation, wereinevitable steps Japan had to pass. In 1880's, Financial Minister, MatsukataMasayoshi had to choose tight deflation policy, to avoid bankrupcy ofnational economy. His policy was the introduction of large scale industryfrom Western Europe, just same as the policy many developing countries triedto choose after Second World War. A young officer, Maeda Masana,proposed an alternative policy bottom-up, self-reliant development model,after a thorough study of country economy, but his proposal was rejected. Atthat time, nearly half of farmers land was mortgaged. Maeda resigned hispost, started nationwide lecture tour, calling local collective effort ofself-reliance development, by promoting local industry, forming manufacturer'sunions, improving the quality of local products, increasing export of localproducts, and establishing local plan of econimic development. His sloganwas," As every nation has national policy, every county, village should havecounty policy, village policy". In fact, he was a pioneer of endogeniousdevelopment. His effort was not in vain, many people supported him. One ofthe most sucessful cases was Gunze Silk Co.,which was established by HatanoTsurukichi in 1895, the name gunze means county policy. Hatano tried theeducation of women workers, quality control of the silk products, export ofsilk to U.S., establishment of research and development laboratory, and othermodernization of the management. Now Gunze is world well known companyin fashion and apparel industry. We should not forget the fact, that underthe rapid, remarkable economic development of Japan, such self-reliant effortwas tried in many places.

Jabana Noboru was the first student sent to University of Tokyo fromOkinawa, and a farmer's origin. As the first graduate of highest school, hereturned to his land and worked as a high rank officer, his life was tragic.His effort for independent policy collided to colonial policy in Okinawa,which was represented by the governor, soon he had to resign, after short,unsuccessful political activity, he became insane, soon died. Here cited histhesis on fertilizer design for sugarcane, which is even now useful inOkinawa, to show hia capability and political will.

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Okinawa, to show his capability and political will.

Part 2 Ashio Copper Mine Pollution and Watarase River PoisoningAshio Mine is an old, famous copper mine, operated since 16 century, but

in the end of Tokugawa period, it was mostly abandoned. After it was boughtby Furukawa Ichibei, it revived as the leading copper mine in late 19 centuryand early 20 century, but also known the largest industrial pollution casebefore WWII. It was the most typical example of pollution, where so manyactors of this kind of social issue played their role typically, and even nowit is considered as the prototype of Japanese industrial pollution, also mostof social movements have the origin here. It is the best example for theanalysis of Japanese modern history of industrial technology and its sideeffect.

Furukawa Ichibei was personally quite conservative, but as entrepreneur,quite progressive man. He introduced the newest technology at that time, suchas water jacket furnace, water power electricity, steel bridge, for the firsttime in Japan for the production and modernization of Ashio mine, as a result,production of the mine increased rapidly, became the largest copper mine in1880's in Japan. The product was exported, copper and silk was two mainsource of foreign currency for Japan, which supported Japanese economy,especially to purchase military weapons. Unfortunately, there was noconsideration on waste control in the production of copper. Mining pollutionwas not new problem in Japan, even before feudal Tokugawa regime, severalmines were closed or limited their operation by the protest of farmers andfishermen.

Since around 1885, ominous sign was observed in once rich WataraseRiver. The river was rich in freshwater fish, also irrigated rich rice paddy,which supported Ashikaga and Nitta clans, who controled Japan in 14 century.In the beginning of Meiji period, 2000 fishermen families were getting theirfood by the river. Even flood was welcomed by farmers, because it carriedfertile soil to the paddy. Dying fish was first sign, then bad harvest in thepaddy, so farmers went up the river, and found huge copper mine andprocessing plant there. Some farmers went to local government office andasked to study the problem, but were refused. Dr.Kozai in University of Tokyoanalysed the soil and rice of damaged area, found copper and arsenic fromthem, concluded that the cause of the damage was copper mine poisoning. Thiswas the only one case of positive contribution of this university professorin the study of pollution during more than one hundred years history.

In 1891, Tanaka Shozo, a representative of the area in Lower House, askeda question on the cause of the damage in the diet, but the answer of thegovernment is not clear and superficial, because high-ranked officers had thevested interest with the mine, and copper was strategic important exportproduct. Tanaka was not ordinary politician. He was born in a village masterfamily, had long experience as a leader of farmers, then elected as a memberof Tochigi Prefecture Council, fought strongly against the governor who wasloyal to the central government. He was proud of his origin as a farmer. In

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spite of his warning, the mine and central, local government together, made aprivate settlement with farmers, giving small money. It was just before1894-95 war, Japan-China war. The importance of copper production is clearlynational interest. A farmer, Niwata Genpachi, recorded his memory of richfarming life around 1880 compared to the poisoned present, published"koudokuchi-choujuuchuugyo-higaijikki" (Birds, animals, bugs, fish, damagedlives in poisoned area), is cited here, showing rich tradition of commonfarmers, in writing and observing the dayly life and nature. It is written ina beautiful, a half rhyming sentences. During war, farmers movement was alsopacified. But when the war ended, the damage was again recognized andincreased, farmers started organized movement, protesting to the centralgovernment, asking to cancel the mining right of Ashio mine. Tanaka was alsotrying hard in the diet, but mostly ignored by the bureaucrats. Farmers triedseveral mass petition to the government, but depressed by riot police, anddisbanded. To promote public opinion, Tanaka tried direct protest to MeijiEmperor, risking his life, but failed, in 1901. The public opinion wasgreatly shocked, and the government had to do something to pacify it. Expertscommittee was nominated, but the members were carefully chosen to protect theinterest of the government. After long-lasted arguments, the conclusion wasto build flood control pond, evacuating farmers in Yanaka village. Thisdivide and rule policy was successful to divide the movement.

Tanaka was always in the front of farmers movement. He moved intoYanaka village, and helped the resistance of the farmers until the lastmoment. At this stage, he tried to study natural rule of water control, andcall a study group organization, named "Shimotsuke-chisui-youdoukai"(Tochigi-water control research group), one of last writings, cited here. Hecalled here a wholistic, ecological study of nature, and practiced it bywalking and surveying the river catchment, until his last days, finally hedied in a tour. Surely he was an ecologist who was born too early.

A young socialist activist, Arahata Kanson, met Tanaka, and impressedvery much, wrote" Yanakamura metsuboushi" (ruining history of Yanakavillage), but the book was immediately prohibited publication. It is verygood textbook to learn the taktics commonly used by power to depress peoplesmovement. Arahata Kanson lived his whole life as a humanistic socialist, andsupported anti-pollution movement so earnestly until his last moment of life,for example, he was one of the best speakers of my JISHU KOZA (PublicForum)

After the death of Tanaka, farmers lost strong leader, but they continuedto resist, by staying in evacuated land, but in 1920, finally they had to moveout, according to the finish of flood control pond. A young follower ofTanaka was Shimada Sozo, who read the report to Tanaka's spirit,U Yanakamura mondai kaiketsu houkoku saimon" (Report for the solution ofYanaka village problem" . This is a beautiful, well summerized, self-reflectingsentence, showing high level of expression, also showing the misery anddifficulty they had to experience.

Tanaka's life and thought attracted many writers' interest, and

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repeatedly written in many stories. One of the best stories, describing hisinner world, was Oshika Taku's " Watarase Gawa" and" Yanaka Mura" .With a help of Shimada, he described accurately the situation, veryimpressive life history of Tanaka and his friends. Quite recently, in 1970's,Tanaka's anthology was edited and published, many new facts were discovered,now we are able to have the whole picture of this enormous personality, butstill Oshika's work has insight of Tanaka's spiritual world.

In Ashio Copper Mine case, surely farmers were completely defeated.Their damage was so great. My grandmother was born there, so I feel it wellpersonally. Even now, among many new documents were found, frequentlythere were letters of apology for debt, and other miserable evidences. Butthe misery of the victims were not totally in vain, because the story was sosad, that became a lesson for pollution, not only for victims, but also forthe industry. Some mining industry, such as Besshi, and Hitachi, late comerstried some improvement of pollution, especially in 1920's, by developingpollution control technology. Sumitomo in Besshi developed the recovery ofsulphur from waste gas, and it was the start of Sumitomo Chemical Co., nowone of the leading chemical industry in Japan. In Hitachi, the company took apolicy for reasonable compensation of damage, also tried successfully highchimney method. it needed a peaceful cooperation with the victims, and infact, the policy succeeded in long run.

Seki Tenshuu was a forest owner near Hitachi, he was chosen as achairman of local committee to negotiate to Hitachi mine for the compensationof forest damage by ore refinery smoke when he was 23. Village peoplerealized the negotiation would be a complicated process, spending long time,so they chose young, intellectual was necessary as the spearhead ofnegotiation team. To keep united village was the task of elderly members.Seki spent his time and money for the quantification of the forest damage,buying camera, which was a great luxury in 1910's, and used it fully as ascientific evidence in the negotiation. In the part of mining company, ayoung forest engineer was hired from University of Tokyo, who was a fairscientist, studied the mechanism of smoke damage. His study was used tocalculate necessary compensation. The forest engineer, Kaburagi Tokuji was apioneer of smoke damage, then moved to Utsunomiya High School of Forestryand Agriculture. Several other people in Hitachi case, cooperated to makefair compensation contract. The mine management also tried to study windand other climate conditions of the area, finding a dominant wind to the oceandirection, then built high chimney for the diffusion of smoke, the reductionof damage was successfully achieved. Here, the preface of Seki's book on oldtrees was cited to know his opinion on the nature, and Kaburagi's academicwork for his attitude to his work. Some ten years later, Hitachi mine triedto find the site for a new refinery in western Japan. The planned site was inSaganoseki in Kyiishii, local opinion was seriously divided, and in a collision,one was killed. The young leader of opposing group visited Hitachi to studythe damage of smoke, then met Seki, to hear the policy of the mine from theside of victims. The leader, named Sasaki Jinzo, was very much impressed by

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hearing Seki's experiences, and changed his opInIon from opposition toapprobation. It was a decisive change for Saganoseki town, and Hitachi couldget its site.

In Arata river pollution case near Gifu, during and after WWI, when newsmall and medium textile industries started and polluted the river, damage wasin the rice paddy, irrigated by the river. Landlords could not askcompensation in this case, because there should be the issue of land rent feereduction from tenants. The only possible solution was to reduce pollutionitself, so landlords union organized special committee to negotiate with theindustry, and repeated negotiation and monitoring of waste water pollution.They invited the experts from Kyoto University, experimented some treatment,forced to the industry to equip some kind of treatment. In some case,recovery of valuable byproducts was successful. Here cited a part of thediary of the special committee, to see how they were active. It was true thatthe lesson of Ashio was to some extent learned in 1920's, but such progresswas forgotten in the flood of militarism in Japan.

Part 3 Western civilization and natureThe mainstream of Meiji Period was the introduction of western science

and technology, as it is widely known, but it was more or less selective, andthe preferable fruits were introduced, rather than whole system. Inevitablythere were some friction. We can find various form of contradiction in thework of mainstream writers. One of such well known cases was ShigaShigetaka's "Nihon Fuukeiron" (Japanese Landscape, 1894). Its strongnationalism is a little embarrassing, but he correctly pointed out the beautyof Japanese landscape as the result of natural process, and criticizing excesseconomic development in the sacrifice of natural landscape. Description ofnatural beauty was Japanese writers' speciality, and helped to promote love tonature among readers. Here cited two representive examples of leading writersfor same place, Tokutomi Roka " Ryoumou no aki" (Autumn in Tochigi andGumma,1897), and Omachi Keigetsu "Nasuno" (Nasu field 'I 1905). Both worksdescribed the beautiful landscape of Nasu, northern periphery of Kanto planeas a kind of frontier, helped tourism in the area. Ironically, the area wasuntouched for long time because of lack of water supply for irrigation,remained as grassland and forest. Introduction of irrigation, since the turnof century, promoted paddy cultivation and development of summer house resort,then mining of gravel for construction in 1960's high economic growth period,and finally used as the disposal area for industrial waste at present. If wevisit there now, we are amazed by rapid degradation of the environmentcompared to the description by these writers.

Probably, the deepest insight for the friction between tradition andwestern culture was considered by Natsume S6seki, describing Japanesedevelopment as an exogenious, forced by imperialism, and basicly superficialprocess. In his one lecture, he said painfully the difficulty of endogeniousdevelopment, it would lead to nervous debility in the nation, so forforeseeable future, we have to continue this dangerous exogenious development

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process. This was· so deep insight of Japanese situation in 1911, which isstill correct even now. He died with stomach ulcer, at 50, probably caused bynervous stress.

Mori Ogai, frequently compared to Natsume as two giants in Meiji writers,was more optimistic than Natsume, on this collision of tradition andintroduced culture. In his short essay titled "Moso" (Impure thoughts), heexpressed more harmonious, peaceful co-existence of his life and nature.Probably it was his carrier who studied academic science in Germany and hishigh position in the main stream of the government, gave him such optimisticviewpoint. In this point, Natsume had much wider vision, even coveringpresent North-South problem in deeper sense.

Meanwhile, how natural science was developed in Japan. The mostemphasized fields were bacteriology and nutrition. Both fields were soimportant for mass lifestyle in the industry and in the army, infectiousdisease and beri-beri were great concern for both fields, so a large amount ofmoney and effort was poured into these fields, and remarkable results wereachieved, such as the discovery of cholera bacteria and vitamine B, byJapanese scientists. On the other hand, more basic, non-profit study was invery difficult condition, like taxonomy, which Makino Tomitaro had beenworking, and described by him in his memoir(e). He spent all his familyproperty of rich local brewery for his study on plant taxonomy in Universityof Tokyo, where he had no official position, collided to the powerfulprofessors frequently, then he got a post of assistant where he remained formore than 40 years, with 15 yen monthly salary, always had 2000-3000 yendebt for his study. His wife somehow managed to survive but died in poverty.Fortunately Makino lived healthy until 95, and left a comprehensive plantdictionary, which is the starting point for many young scientists like myself.His life was symbolic in basic science in Japan.

Another symbolic natural scientist was Minakata Kumakusu, anencyclopedist who studied amoeboids (slimemolds) at first but argued folkloreincluding homo-sexual in detail, opposed to demolish traditional localshrines, and called a pioneer of nature conservation movement in Japan. Henever belonged to any academic circle, and sent reports frequently to Naturemagazine. His letter for protection of local shrine gave so strong impressionto another famous folklorist, Yanagida Kunio, who printed the letter anddistributed among central government officers related to the policy, helpedMinakata's effort. Here a part of the letter is cited to show his wideinterest for nature. Again, most of his work was in his own expense.

The negligence of basic science was same in animal biology, but there wasan incidental condition. On the education of the emperor, there was anarguement among high-rank officers. Traditionally in Orient, it was history.But some opposed to this tradition, the study of social science might lead todeny the emperor system itself.. natural science would be harmless for thesystem, and it is western tradition among kings and aristcrats. This was thestory I heard from my grandfather, who was a general at that time, andprobably true. Showa Emperor became an animal taxonomist, but his younger

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brother, Mikasanomiya insisted to choose history, then he was said asrebellious prince, suspecting his own prestigeous position. By such reason,some natural science was supported by aristcrats funds, like PrinceY amashina's Ornithology Institute, which gave a remarkable contribution inthis field.

In A small town in Tohoku, a young agrochemist and writer, MiyazawaKenji, struggled in both fields, in 1920's and 30's, remaining unknown. Hepublished two books, but few knew his name. Most of his work was discoveredafter his death by tuberclosis, and now he is known as one of poets andwriters representing Japanese literature. His work is an extraordinarycombination of literary talent and scientific knowledge, has fantastic beauty,combined with Bhuddism spirit. Here I chose from his so many work," Yodaka no hoshi" (Star of night hawk), to show quite different understandingof food chain concept from Darwinism, which define it as strong eats weak,insteadly, Miyazawa's concept of food chain is a service to others, derivedfrom Bhuddism. Also he was a secret supporter of left wing movement and anEsperantist, left a few works in Esperanto, he was a real genious with tooshort life like a meteor.

Since 1930's, Japan went into militarism, most social science wasdepressed and disappearing. Even the word, shakai (society) was enough toprohibit publication. Under such conditions, social science survived usingslave's language, like Furushima Toshio " Nihon hoken nogyo shi" (History ofagriculture in feudal Japan, 1941). This work pointed out the importance offertilizer in Japanese agriculture, along the extension of part 1 of thisbook. The political pressure was so strong, that Japanese social science hadto start from zero after 1945, it was quite unhappy situation for us.

Part 4 From post war politics to independent movementsThe end of WWII brought desolated land, and Japanese industrial

production was decreased to 10 % of the peak before the war. One hand,some environment like water and air was improved remarkably by the reductionof industrial pollution. On the other hand, damage by typhoon and othernatural disast~r became quite serious. Survival from starvation and stabilityof environment were national concern in this period. Two interestingproposals were published in post war confusion period. One is a governmentalstudy group for resources, which studied available resources thoroughly inJapan, and reached to a quite pessimistic conclusion, that only water wasplenty, renewable and available resource for the moment. But this water isalso essential for the production of food, forest, and industry in future, soits protection in quantity and quality is very important. The group finallyproposed a recommendation to the prime minister on " Prevention of waterpollution" in 1951, in spite of strong resistance of mining industry and MITI,but the prime minister, Yoshida, who got political money supply from coalmining, ignored the recomendation.

There was also quite interesting proposal of Japan Communist Party,titled "Nogyo no shorai oi tsuite" (On future of agriculture), which was

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written by its secretary general, Tokuda Kyuuichi, a self-made lawyer, after18 year in prison during the war. Though he was a layman in engineering, theplan was large and comprehensive, feasible in engineer's sense, though alittle megalomaniac, reflecting Russian model under Stalin. Unfortunately bythe pressure of occupation U.S. army, the direction of JCP was politicized toomuch, and there was no energy to develope such constructive plan in JCP.

Aforementioned recommendation was ignored by prime minister, YoshidaShigeru, meanwhile water pollution was going on in many places, there wereseveral times effort to prepare water pollution control law in the government,but all failed by the resistance of the industry and MITI, until 1958. Inthat year, two serious incidents in water pollution occurred, gave some impactto the stalemate. A paper and pulp producer, Honshu Seishi Co. builtsemi-chemical pulp plant in Edogawa factory, discharged the waste water intoEdo River, just in the suburb of Tokyo. Serious damage occurred in TokyoBay fishery, and after some negotiation, fishermen and riot police collided,both side they had dozen heavily injured people. National Diet was shocked aspolice acted as guardmen of the industry, several policemen, includingSuperintendent General, were punished. A draft of pollution control laws wasprepared and passed the Diet in a hurry, but its effectiveness was quitesmall. There was no application of punishment clause until 1970, when thelaws were replaced by more effective new law.

Another incident was the revival of Ashio issue. One of tailing pilescollapsed and the content went into Watarase River, gave serious damage in therice paddy in Morita Village in Gumma Prefecture, farmers started protest tothe mine as well as to the government. We were taught that Ashio problemwas not over. It was the beginning of post war pollution.

In the same year, 1958, a phylosopher, Saegusa Hiroto published aremarkable essay, "Shizen to iu yobina no rekishi" (history of the word:nature), reviewing the meaning of the word in past several centuries.Surprisingly, "shizen" now we are using for nature as a noun, was rather newword in object. The word had been used rather as a verb for spontaneouschange, for instance, in Bhuddism text. In traditional Japanese mentality,there was rather little effort to observe nature objectly, and it was a maindifficulty in understanding modern science for common Japanese. Dr. Saegusawas an excellent researcher on the history of western science and technology,then he started a comparative study between east and west, but unfortunatelyhis work was interrupted by his death in Tsurumi traffic accident. If he hadtime, probably this book would be prepared much earlier and easier.

In this book, I can not omit Yanagida Kunio, who started the work fromthe question, why Japanese farmer was so poor, and established a system offolklore study. It is not easy to choose one representing work from hisenormous writing, in my own judgement here I chose his last work, " Kaijo nomichi" (Road on the sea, 1961), a brave hypothesis on the origin of Japaneseculture, especially pointing out the importance of Okinawa. As far as on therole of rice plant his theory was scientifically denied, still it isattractive to find the roots of Japanese in south. It might be happy for him

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that he died before seeing high economic growth of Japan, which destroyedmost of traditional beauty he loved and studied. His image of common Japanesepeople was humble, modest, and mild ones, much different from present rich,arrogant ones. This drastic change of Japanese mind started probably in theconstruction of Sakuma Dam, in early 50's when American technology wasintroduced for the first time. Japanese engineers were astonished by thecapacity of bulldoser, then started believing in machinery and moderntechnology, this belief propagated gradually into common life of Japanese,established firmly during the process of high economic growth, now money canbuy everything is a kind of mass religion among Japanese. Such change mightgo on now again with popularization of computers, more strengthening atendency that everything can be calculated and managed. The tendency is seenalready among young students in the engineering faculty, avoiding cumbersomefield study and experiments, only computer simulation is popular among them.

Faced to a political crisis in 1960 on Japan-U .S. security pact, then theprime minister Ikeda Hayato took high economic growth policy to divertpolitical tension, mass-production and mass-consumption was promoted, andresultantly industrial pollution went on. The first pioneer book on thisproblem was Shoji Hikaru and Miyamoto Ken-ichi's "Osorubeki kogai"(Terrible pollution, 1964). A well prepared, small but comprehensive textbookon pollution, was widely read and used in many anti-pollution movements, therole of it was great. A lot of tragedy were prevented by this book. It waswritten in the context of Marxism, but unfortunately the content was notrealized in the policy of left wing party so much. The mainstream of Japaneseleft wing had a dream that political power would solve all problemautomatically.

In same period, a housewife, Ishimure Michiko started lone work tointerview Minamata Disease victims, later she wrote "Kugai Jodo". Afantastically beautiful, local language gave so strong impact to the readers,the glory and misery of Minamata victims was nationally known. In fact, itwas not simple hearing and recording of victims story, as many readersbelieved, but she carefully chose every words trying to re-construct spiritualworld of fishermen. So she gave a picture of Minamata Disease to all Japan,contributed much to disclose the damage of industrial polution.

In parallel to aforementioned Makino's work in plant taxonomy, a priestand writer, Nakanishi Godo, continued his long effort to protect wild birds,organizing bird watchers society, actively spoke out on pollution issues inthe last years of his life. Finally he denied ego-centric character ofhumanity, and proposed more wholistic view of nature, human-kind as a partof nature, in his "Kogai to shizen to rinri" (Pollution, nature, andethics,1970). In 1970, when lead pollution from automobile exhaust gas andphotochemical smog became a large pollution issue in metropolis, publicopinion exploded agaist pollution and lack of policy in the government, somany essays were written by' writers, some stated similar argument, butNakanishi was most persuasive, suppoted by his long effort in actualmovement.

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In a small town, Usuki city in Kyfishfi, the governor and the mayor triedto invite a cement factory in the town. Concerned citizens, fishermen, andlocal managers of small industries, formed a coalition to oppose to the plan,and the central role was housewives of fishermen. After long struggle,finally they won, cancelling the project, but damage was also large, peacefulcommunity was divided, friends were lost, and hatred remained. The storycould be explained as a case of grass-root feminism, but such analysis was nottried yet. A local writer, Matsushita Ryfiichi wrote the story of women powervividly, in " Kazanashi no onna tachi" (Women in Kazanashi, 1972). Here Icited the last chapter. The book is now widely read as a textbook of themovement, especially in Shiraho village in New Ishigaki Airport issue inOkinawa.

To get factory site in clean area was difficult, it is easier to find thesite in already polluted area. Under such policy, Fuji City became a town ofpaper and pulp mills. Every kind of pollution accumulated there. KoudaToshihiko, a retired teacher, stood up against pollution in the front ofcitizens movement. He was an excellent writer, describing beauty of MountFuji and the sea, its rich fish, he was in the opposite end of rich manager ofpulp industry who recently bought a picture of van Gogh by hundred milliondollar, Mr.Saito. In late years of his life, Kouda spent his time and moneyto build a well in northeast Thailand village.

New Tokyo International Airport in Narita, Sanrizuka, was another symbolof people's resistance against national power, the leader, Tomura Issaku, wasa sincere christian, open-minded organizer of farmers, and a naturalist. Hedid not avoid to get the power of new left to oppose to riot police, it washis policy chosen after careful consideration. Under his guidance, thepoorest of poor woman farmer, Oki Yone, declared her words cited here, foughtuntil her end of life. Even after their death, still the airport is notcompleted, as a result of their heroic struggle.

Yamazaki Kei, an engineer, a manager of a machinery factory, and poet,has similar statement to Nakanishi. He has been trying to clean Urado Bay inKochi which was polluted and filled for industrial sites, in past 30 years.The largest polluter was a pulp mill, ignoring any protest. His group triedevery possible means for negotiation, but was refused. Finally in one dayearly morning, they poured concrete mixture into a manhole of waste dischargepipe of the mill and stopped the waste. He was filed in the criminal court, Ijoined to a lawyers team, after enjoying court procedure for four years, thejudge decided small fine for him. I am really proud of this cooperation withhim, such a man of new idea, and learned much from him.

In 1972, Okinawa was returned to Japan after 27 years occupation byU.S., for Japanese industry, it was regarded the last frontier for newindustrial sites, a gigantic plan was announced to fill more than half of KinBay in east coast for crude oil storage, oil refinery, petrochemical complex,iron and steel mill, nuclear power plant, and aluminum refinery. It was oneof the largest plans in Japan in 1970's. The first step was the constructionof oil refinery and its support road in shallow bay, which destroyed whole

- 41 -

ecosystem of once rich bay. Next step was landfill for crude oil storage. Aretired old teacher Asato Seishin, the leader of opposing movement, told usthe richness of the bay before destruction, which cited here" Umi ha hito nohaha dearu" (The sea is the mother of people, 1981). With luck, other projectsdisappearred facing to oil crisis in 1973, but already destroyed ecosystemdoes not recover even now in 1991. Although the bay was destroyed, the spiritof the movement spread to whole archperago, that a project from above can berefused, was the promoting motivation in many other movements, one examplewas well known Shiraho New Ishigaki Airport, refusing the project for morethan ten years, another one was recall movement in next Kin town council whichsucceeded in 1989 on the issue of bad odour pollution. In Okinawa thesituation is changing gradually. In 1990, the governor was changed fromconservative, development first, to progressive scholar, how political partiesfollow to this change is quite interesting question.

In Ashio Mine issue, farmers in Yanaka village were evacuated by forcein 1907, but they continued to live in same place silently, refused to move inspite of advise by Tanaka Shozo, it was beyond his comprehension. Also inMinamata, fishermen continued to fish and eat them despite their toxicity.Such continuity of life is sometimes beyond our comprehension. Munakata Iwaolived in Minamata fishermen village, and studied the spiritual world offishermen, he found three layer structure there, nature, community, and sociallife, when most basic part, nature layer is destroyed, the only possibleresponse is continuation of previous living, waiting natural healing process,that was the conclusion of his study. Somewhat similar three layer structurewas reported by Hazel Henderson in the study of economics, this might be morecommon structure in our society, then the value of natural layer should bemuch more important than present understanding in our society.

Since 1960's, such understanding of ecological system was accumulatedgradually through various movements, and they were systematized by the effortin Entropy Society, organized by late Prof. Tamanoi Yoshro, Prof. FujitaYoshiyuki, and other people quite recently. The last report in this book,written by Murota Takeshi and Tsuchida Atsushi titled " Kaiho teijo kei toseimei kei" (Open steady state system and life system, 1989) is in fact theconclusion of this book. The report collected traditional understanding ofnatural system in feudal period, like Kumazawa Banzan and Shaku Join, whopointed out the importance of material circulation in stabilized nature.Especially the circulation of water is vital importance, because it pumps outexcess entropy from the earth to outer space. If human activity hinder thecirculation of water, the earth will die off, it will be suicidal action formankind. The explanation of entropy, which is generally quite difficult tounderstand in most textbook, is well described, and the Iole of human activityin the process of circulation is clearly explained, how we are able to repairthe damaged natural system, these questions are well answered in practicalway. I must use this chapter as my conclusion.

Finally I feel regret on myself in double meanings. First, why an

- 42 -

沖縄大学紀要第９号（1992年）

cnginccrUkcmchadtocollectphylosophicalwriting，withnoIeadernorhelper・SureIyitwasnecessaryfOrmyselftｏｍａｋｅａｖｅｒｙｒｏｕｇｈｐｉｃｔｕｒｅｏｒｍａｐｔｏｆindthedirectionfOrownfUture，andllearnedmuchfromtheprocess、Itwasmymeritandpleasure，itsoothesmeenough，Second，mycapabiUtyandconditionwasnotsuitabletothisimportantwork，thoughltriedmybest、ProbablysomeonewiUsucccedthceffOrtinfUture，ifthisworkisenoughimportant・Ｔｈａｔｉｓｍｙｈｏｐｅ．

追記

先に島尻勝太郎先生を失ない、また永野善治先生を教養科は失なった。おこ

方とも沖縄大学の存亡の危機に面したとき、その先頭に立って挽回への努力を

つづけて来られた方々であっただけに、その御苦労が天寿を縮めたことになっ

たのではないかと気になるところであった。沖縄大学が今日何とか存続し得て

居るのも、両先生のおかげと考えるべきであろう。同じ学科に身をおきながら、

先輩のお話をゆっくり伺う機会も作らなかった、私のうかつさが悔まれるもの

である。

永野先生が倒れられてからも、お見舞いに上る折も作れなかった口実をあげ

ようとすれば愚痴になる。しかし私は沖縄に来てから、どれほどの不毛な時間

とエネルギーを、新石垣空港をめぐる見えすいた嘘の暴露に注がなければなか

ったことか。県の事業なら、中味も調べずに、それを支持し権威で裏付けよう

とする、国立大学の一部の学者とたたかうために、ほとんどの自由時間は注ぎ

込まれたのであった。その合間をぬって、何とか私は日本の伝統的思想の中で、

我々の父祖が自然や環境についてどう考えていたかをまとめる仕事を続けた。

今、世界が日本を追って環境を食いつぶし、目先の金に変えることに狂奔して

いるとき、このような仕事がどれだけ間に合うのだろうかと、いつも疑問を感

じながらも、この仕事の大切さに気づいた人間が、世界に向けて発信をしなけ

れば、誰もやってくれないということだけはわかっていた。どうやら日本語の

テキストと、その解説が「谷中村から水俣・三里塚へ、エコロジーの源流｣(社

会評論社）として出来上ったのが、９１年の８月の何日かはその作業に費やされ、

ようやくここに提出するような解説の抄訳が、私の拙ない英文で作られた。

－４３－

沖縄大学紀要第９号（1992年）

この拙文を対私は島尻、永野両先生の霊前に捧げる。先生方の生前には、学

ぶところ少なかった後学の徒が、せめてこういう分野で学恩の何十分の－かに

報いようとしていることを、先生方に知っていただければ幸いである。私は私のやり方で、先生方のお仕・事を、こういう方面にひろげていこうと心に決めた。

これは始まったばかりの、第一歩の作業であるが、いつの日か先生方に完成を報告したい。

－４４－