Chisso Corporation (チッソ株式会社, Chisso kabushiki kaisha^?) is a Japanese chemical company. It is particularly well known as a supplier of liquid crystal used for LCD displays, and the cause of Minamata disease. Bold text Schlieren texture of Liquid Crystal nematic phase Liquid crystals are substances that exhibit a phase of matter that has properties between those of a conventional liquid, and those of a solid crystal. ... LCD redirects here. ... Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. ...

Products

History

K.K. stands for Kabushiki kaisha, or a corporation regulated by Japanese law.

The origin of Chisso Corporation is Sogi Denki K.K. founded in 1906. It ran a hydroelectric power station in Okuchi, Kagoshima. The kabushiki kaisha (Jp. ... Japanese law was historically heavily influenced by Chinese law and developed independently during the Edo period through texts such as Kujikata Osadamegaki, but has been largely based on the civil law of Germany since the late 19th century. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Hydroelectricity is a form of hydropower used to produce electricity. ... Ōkuchi (大口市; -shi) is a city located in Kagoshima, Japan. ...

Shitagau Noguchi (1873-07-26–1944-01-15) was the founder. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Tokyo and graduated from it in 1896. After he worked for several companies, he organized Sogi Denki K.K. 1873 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calaber). ... July 26 is the 207th day (208th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 158 days remaining. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1944 calendar). ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article treats electronics engineering as a subfield of electrical engineering, though this is not typical use in some areas. ... The University of Tokyo (東京大学; Tōkyō Daigaku, abbreviated as 東大 Tōdai) is one of the leading research universities in Japan. ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Sogi Denki K.K. supplied electricity for mines in Okuchi, Kagoshima, but its power station left superfluous capacity. To use the surplus power, Shitagau Noguchi founded another company that produces calcium carbide in Minamata, Kumamoto. Ōkuchi (大口市; -shi) is a city located in Kagoshima, Japan. ... Chemical compound with the chemical formula CaC2. ... Minamata (水俣市; -shi) is a city located in Kumamoto, Japan. ...

As soon as Shitagau Noguchi introduced the process of calcium cyanamide from Germany, which is used as a fertilizer, he merged his two companies into Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. in 1908. Nippon Chisso Hiryo literally means "Japan Nitrogen Fertilizer", and the company is sometimes referred to as "Japan Nitrogen Fertilizer Company" in English language. CaCN2 Calcium compound. ... spreading manure, an organic fertilizer Fertilizers or fertilisers are compounds given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil, for uptake by plant roots, or by foliar spraying, for uptake through leaves. ... 1908 (MCMVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

In 1927, Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. built a huge chemical complex in Hamhung, Korea. In those days, Korea was a colony of Japan, and Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. invested Korea more aggressively than any other companies. 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... A complex in chemistry is a reversible association of molecules, atoms, or ions through weak non-covalent chemical bonds. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Colonialism. ...

After Japan lost the World War II in 1945, Korea recovered its independence. Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. was forced to abandon all properties in Korea. Furthermore, the Allies that occupied Japan ordered dismissal of Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K., regarding it as a company that adhered to the militarism government. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... When spelt with a capital A, Allies usually denotes the countries supporting the Triple Entente who fought together against the Central Powers in World War I and against the Axis Powers in World War II. For more information, see the related articles: Allies of World War I and Allies of... At the end of the Second World War, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers. ...

In 1950, Shin Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. was founded as a successor of Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. Shin means "new" in Japanese language. 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Japanese (日本語, ) is a language spoken by over 127 million people, mainly in Japan, but also by Japanese emigrant communities around the world. ...

Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. had started production of acetaldehyde at Minamata plant in 1932, and Shin Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. continued it. The plant discharged waste fluid containing mercury to Minamata Bay. R-phrases , , S-phrases , , , Flash point −39 °C Autoignition temperature 185 °C RTECS number AB1925000 Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... 1932 (MCMXXXII) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link will take you to a full 1932 calendar). ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 200. ...

Mercury was accumulated in fish and in people who ate fish over many years, and harmed the people's central nerves. Hajime Hosokawa, a doctor at a hospital funded by Shin Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K., officially reported in 1956-05-01 that central-nerves disease of unknown etiology is observed frequently around Minamata. This date is considered to be the revelation date of Minamata disease now. 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. ...

In 1963, doctors at Kumamoto University concluded that the cause of Minamata disease was mercury emitted by Shin Nippon Chisso Hiryo K.K. In 1965, The company changed its name to Chisso Corporation. In 1969, the first lawsuit was filed against Chisso Corporation. Many lawsuits were filed against Chisso Corporation after 1969, and some of them go on even now. 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... The Kumamoto University is in Kumamoto, Japan. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...

Chisso used yakuza in order to threaten and silence patients and their supporters. Patients and their supporters started the "single shareholder" movement by buying one share of Chisso each, which was aimed at accusing the executives of Chisso in its general meeting. A thousand of the single shareholders participating in the movement gathered in front of a hall in Osaka to attend the general meeting called on November 28, 1970, but the company prevented them from entering the hall by asking yakuza to become shareholders and occupy the hall. The meeting ended in five minutes with all the bills submitted by the board approved. This article or section may be confusing for some readers, and should be edited to be clearer or more simplified. ... Osaka City Hall Mayor Junichi Seki Address 〒530-8201 Osaka-shi,Kita-ku Nakanoshima 1-3-20 Phone number 06-6208-8181 Official website: Osaka City , Osaka ) is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in Japan, with a population of 2. ... November 28 is the 332nd day (333rd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

The company's 'historical overview' in its current website makes no mention of their role in the mass contamination of Minamata and the dreadful aftermath. Their 2004 Annual Report however reports an equivalent of about US$50 million (5,820 million yen) in 'Minamata Disease Compensation Liabilities'. From 2000 to 2003 the company also reported total compensation liabilities of over US$170 million. Their 2000 accounts also show that the Japanese and Kumamoto prefectural governments waived an enormous US$560 million in related liabilities. Kumamoto Prefecture (熊本県; Kumamoto-ken) is located on Kyushu Island, Japan. ...

References

• David E. Kaplan and Alec Dubro. Yakuza: Japan's Criminal Underworld. University of California Press, 2003. ISBN 0520215613

See also

• Minamata disease
• Minamata, Kumamoto

Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. ... Minamata (水俣市; -shi) is a city located in Kumamoto, Japan. ...

External links

• Chisso Corporation