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The Mainichi
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Japan tutoring firm apologizes over wrongly stating Minamata disease is 'hereditary'
MINAMATA, Kumamoto -- Executives at a major home tutoring operator on June 25 apologized to Kumamoto Mayor Toshiharu Takaoka for an error in online teaching material that incorrectly described Minamata disease as "hereditary." Daigo Kusunose, executive officer at the Tokyo-based Trygroup Inc., and its Kyushu regional headquarters chief Motohiro Ito, visited Minamata city hall. Kusunose stated, "We deeply apologize for the great inconvenience and concern caused to everyone in Minamata and all those affected by Minamata disease due to the teaching material we created." Mayor Takaoka responded, "We believed we were disseminating correct information, so honestly, I am disappointed," adding, "How Trygroup responds from now on is important for both citizens and those who have suffered from the disease." The error appeared in the "Try IT" video lesson service's social studies material for junior high school students. It described cases in which methylmercury consumed by pregnant mothers was passed through the placenta to the fetus, resulting in the children developing Minamata disease, but it incorrectly used the term "hereditary." The material was released via an app in 2015 and has been available on YouTube since 2016. Until it was taken down in May of this year, it had been viewed more than 70,000 times. On the afternoon of June 25, the company executives were also to meet with the "Minamata disease victims and supporters liaison council," made up of Minamata disease patients and victim groups, as well as the "Minamata discrimination and prejudice study group," formed in response to issues such as incorrect descriptions.
Japan Today
25-05-2025
- Health
- Japan Today
Major Japan tutoring firm apoloigizes for false claim on Minamata disease
A major Japanese tutoring company has recently apologized for inaccurately describing the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease as hereditary in its online study material, a description that drew strong public criticism. The false claim appeared in a video lesson for junior high school students from the firm's "Try IT" online service, which explained cases of infants developing the disease via mercury exposure through the placenta but wrongly called the condition "inherited." Trygroup Inc, the operator of the nationwide home tutoring service Try, said in a statement available on its website Sunday, "We apologize for the inaccurate phrasing and have corrected it," adding the lesson video has already been taken offline. Following the revelation of the misinformation, a group comprising patients and victims of Minamata disease, as well as the Environment Ministry, urged the company to make corrections. Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning. It affected thousands of people who unknowingly consumed seafood contaminated with mercury in areas around Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern main island of Kyushu. In 1968, the Japanese government recognized that mercury in wastewater from a local chemical plant was responsible for the illness. © KYODO
Kyodo News
25-05-2025
- Health
- Kyodo News
Major Japan tutoring firm sorry for false claim on Minamata disease
KYODO NEWS - 10 hours ago - 12:56 | All, Japan A major Japanese tutoring company has recently apologized for inaccurately describing the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease as hereditary in its online study material, a description that drew strong public criticism. The false claim appeared in a video lesson for junior high school students from the firm's "Try IT" online service, which explained cases of infants developing the disease via mercury exposure through the placenta but wrongly called the condition "inherited." Trygroup Inc., the operator of the nationwide home tutoring service Try, said in a statement available on its website Sunday, "We apologize for the inaccurate phrasing and have corrected it," adding the lesson video has already been taken offline. Following the revelation of the misinformation, a group comprising patients and victims of Minamata disease, as well as the Environment Ministry, urged the company to make corrections. Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning. It affected thousands of people who unknowingly consumed seafood contaminated with mercury in areas around Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern main island of Kyushu. In 1968, the Japanese government recognized that mercury in wastewater from a local chemical plant was responsible for the illness. Related coverage: FEATURE: Minamata disease photo collection strikes chords of tragedy Japan minister apologizes for interrupting Minamata victims' remarks Japan court orders compensation to 26 unrecognized Minamata victims
Kyodo News
25-05-2025
- Health
- Kyodo News
Major Japan tutoring firm sorry for false claim on Minamata disease
KYODO NEWS - 5 minutes ago - 12:56 | All, Japan A major Japanese tutoring company has recently apologized for inaccurately describing the Minamata mercury-poisoning disease as hereditary in its online study material, a description that drew strong public criticism. The false claim appeared in a video lesson for junior high school students from the firm's "Try IT" online service, which explained cases of infants developing the disease via mercury exposure through the placenta but wrongly called the condition "inherited." Trygroup Inc., the operator of the nationwide home tutoring service Try, said in a statement available on its website Sunday, "We apologize for the inaccurate phrasing and have corrected it," adding the lesson video has already been taken offline. Following the revelation of the misinformation, a group comprising patients and victims of Minamata disease, as well as the Environment Ministry, urged the company to make corrections. Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by mercury poisoning. It affected thousands of people who unknowingly consumed seafood contaminated with mercury in areas around Minamata Bay in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern main island of Kyushu. In 1968, the Japanese government recognized that mercury in wastewater from a local chemical plant was responsible for the illness. Related coverage: FEATURE: Minamata disease photo collection strikes chords of tragedy Japan minister apologizes for interrupting Minamata victims' remarks Japan court orders compensation to 26 unrecognized Minamata victims
