Yoichi Tani of the Minamata Victims Mutual Aid Society speaks before members of the Foreign Correspondents The Diet passed the bill offering financial relief to more sufferers of Minamata disease. It is expected to cover about 20,000 of some 30,000 people, mainly in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures, who are seeking recognition as Minamata disease sufferers. It is expected to cover about 20,000 of some 30,000 people, mainly in Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures, who are seeking recognition as Minamata disease sufferers. Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by organic mercury that had been released into the sea for years by a chemical company in Minamata, Kumamoto prefecture in southern Japan, poisoning fish and unsuspecting residents. Yosuke Tanaka/AFLO/mis) [1122].