2006.11.24 High school students visiting Minamata on a school trip boarded the “Utase ship”, which is the only ship of its kind remaining in the Shiranui Sea of Japan. It has a large sail spread across the ship and fishes using an ecological fishing method that requires trawling with a net using only the forces of wind and tide. Shrimp and crab were caught in the net. The students enjoyed the shrimp and crab right away at the place they were staying.

2006.11.24 Mr. Yoshii, the former mayor of Minamata-city, gave a lecture on developing human resources in Minamata over the next 50 years. He lectured to the public, “Everyone has weak points. Take these weak points away from the strong points, and what remains will be manpower.”

2006.11.24 Second-year students from Konan Girls’ High School in Kobe again came to visit on a school trip to learn about Minamata’s environment. On this day, they dedicated paper cranes to the monument at the Shinsui seawall for patients with Minamata disease.