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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 21, September 6, 1976.
In South East Asia
In South East Asia
The action of organised anti-pollution movements in Japan have forced many Japanese companies to stop operation in Japan. However, these companies do Not give up. They move to other parts of the world, especially S.E. Asia, where the people are less organised.
"In Malaysia, Japan Agriculture Chemical, one of the largest in the industry in Japan, is operating on a joint venture. Agricultural Chemical Malaysia (ACM) in the Pulai Industrial District in the suburbs of Penang. It has recently confirmed that ACM's products include poisonous BHC insecticide, production and usage of which have already been outlawed in Japan because of strong public criticism.
The Straits Times reported on August 6, 1972 that a 16 year old girl suddenly became sick while sprinkling insecticide on a farm and later died.
On August 14, 1972. Sin Chew Jit Poh carried an article on the dispersion of Japanese "kogai" (pollution) into S.E. Asia. After referring to the Minamata Disease, the newspaper wounded the following alarm! "Environmental pollution in Japan has made its appearance side by side with her high economic growth. It is apparent that as Japanese industry rapidly invades the market of S.E. Asia, the area may be subjugated by large-scale environmental destruction. Such pollution must be stopped by all means possible. Or the damage will increase endlessly."