February 2012
About Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement 2012
Japanese Government Needs to Enact Mercury Export Ban Act
Joint Statement English (PDF)bJapanese (PDF)
Date: February 4, 2012
Last updated on March 5, 2012
By Takeshi Yasuma, Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP)
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/
Link to this page:
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/CSO/Mercury_Export_Ban_2012_en.html

CONTENTS
Introduction
February 4, 2012

Dear Friends,

I would like to thank you all for the outpouring of support we received last month, when launched the Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement - Japanese Government Needs to Incorporate the Lessons Learned from Minamata into the Mercury Treaty and posted it with a list of almost 500 signatories to Japanese government on January 23, 2012!

I come to you again for help. This month, we have launched a new policy statement, "Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement 2012 - Japanese Government Needs to Enact Mercury Export Ban Act", and we will post it to Japanese government by end of February. The goal of these successive statements is to pressure the Japanese government to internalize the Minamata Lessons and apply this to how it manages its mercury.

As you will see in the explanation below, in spite of the Minamata tragedy, the Japanese government continues to allow mercury exports to developing countries where mercury is used in environmentally unsound ways.

Please give us your (individual's or organization's) endorsement to our new statement in the following way.
  1. Type of endorsement and required data
    • Individual: your name and country, and if possible, your organization, specialty and/or title
    • Organization: name of your organization and country, and if possible, name of representative and position
  2. Deadline by Sunday February 26 at your local time
  3. Mail address to be sent: ac7t-ysm@asahi-net.or.jp (Mr. Takeshi Yasuma of CACP)
Best regards,

Takeshi Yasuma
Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP)
ac7t-ysm@asahi-net.or.jp

Civil Society Organizations Joint Statement 2012 (Draft)
Japanese Government Needs to Enact Mercury Export Ban Act
(PDF version)
The Honorable Koichiro Genba, Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Honorable Yukio Edano, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
The Honorable Goshi Hosono, Minister of the Environment

February xx, 2012

We, civil society organizations concerned about world-wide mercury pollution strongly urge the Japanese Government to enact a Mercury Export Ban Act at the earliest possible time.
In accordance with the Decision at the 25th session of the Governing Council of the UN Environment Program in Nairobi, Kenya on February 2009, governments all over the world are now 2 meetings away from concluding the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) that creates a legally binding international mercury treaty to reduce world-wide emissions and discharges of a pollutant that threatens the health of millions, from fetuses and babies to pregnant women and coastal and indigenous communities reliant on fish for their subsistence. The INC commenced its work in 2010 with the goal of completing the negotiations prior to the 27th regular session of the GC/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013.

The global community also agreed that the risk to human health and the environment was so significant that an accelerated action under a voluntary Global Mercury Partnership is needed whilst the treaty is being finalized.

The partnership plan includes:
  • Mercury Waste Management
  • Mercury Supply and Storage
  • Mercury Management in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining
  • Mercury Control from Coal Combustion
  • Mercury Reduction in the Chlor-alkali Sector
  • Mercury Reduction in Products
  • Mercury Air Transport and Fate Research
At the Asia Mercury Storage Project Inception Workshop held at Bangkok in March 2009, all Asian countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations who participated confirmed the necessity of safe permanent storage of excess mercury in the Asian region as one of the tools necessary to further cut mercury supply.

In the autumn of 2008, the European Union (EU) and followed by the United States of America enacted historic mercury export bans and took related actions to promote safe storage of excess mercury. The rationale for putting up the EU and US export bans is the evidence showing that in many developing countries and countries with economies in transition, majority of mercury imported from the EU or the US ends up being used in an environmentally unsound manner.

Although Japan has the tragic history of Minamata with mercury, unfortunately as shown in the graph and tables, Japanese mercury export amounts to more than 100 metric tons per year on an average. The exports are mainly derived from nonferrous metal smelters and recycling of mercury containing wastes and are exported to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, resulting in the re-circulation of mercury into the global marketplace and eventually ending up in environmentally unsound practices such as whole-ore amalgamation in small-scale gold mining.

As a major trading giant in the world with substantial economic clout, and also as a country with moral imperative arising from its Minamata experience, we understand that Japan should become the third global power to ban the export of mercury following the EU and US. We are certain that the mercury export bans in concert with the EU, US and Japan will have a tremendous impact on mercury reduction worldwide and will surely contribute to accelerate the promotion of an effective international mercury treaty to be set up by UNEP in 2013.

In view of the foregoing, we the undersigned civil society groups and individuals, strongly urges the Japanese government to take the following action immediately.
  1. Enact a Mercury Export Ban that will effectively cease all mercury and mercury compounds exported by Japan.
  2. Safely place in long-term storage all surplus mercury produced in Japan.
  3. Show good leadership to realize a strong and effective International Mercury Treaty that honors Minamata, and increased effort to create mercury storage capacity in the Asian region.
The circle of mercury poisoning must end. Japan can do no less to help end the global mercury poisoning. It can do no less in honor of Minamata.

END
Contact:

Takeshi Yasuma
Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP), Japan
ac7t-ysm@asahi-net.or.jp

Richard Gutierrez
Ban Toxics! / Zero Mercury Working Group, Philippines
rgutierrez@bantoxics.org

Attachment:
Data for Mercury Export of Japan

Signatories submitted to Japanese government: 474 as of February 28
Signatories not submitted to Japanese government:55 received on and after February 29
Total: 529 as of March 5
Japanese organizations/individuals: 173 as of March 5, 2012
See: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/kagaku/pico/mercury/CSO/Mercury_Export_Ban_2012_jp.html

Overseas organizations/individuals: 302 as of February 28, 2012
  1. BIOS ARGENTINA (Silvana Bujan, President), Argentina
  2. Eco Sitio (Luis Enrique Tuninetti, Presidente), Argentina
  3. Susana I. Muhlmann, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  4. Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment, Armenia
  5. National Toxics Network Inc. (Jo Immig, National Coordinator), Australia
  6. Ecological Society "Ruzgar" (Islam Mustafayev, Chairman of Society), Azerbaijan
  7. NGO TETA"KHAZRI" (Lidiya GULUZADA, Leader), Azerbaijan
  8. Shahriar Hossain, Ph.D., Ecologist, Journalist & Social Justice Advocate, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  9. Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  10. European Environmental Bureau (EEB) Zero Mercury Campaign, Belgium
  11. Zero Mercury Working Group (ZMWG), Belgium
  12. ACPO - Associacao de Combate aos Poluentes, Brazil
  13. AMAR, Environmental Defense Association, Brazil
  14. Carla Fernandes Dias, ACPO, Santos, Brazil
  15. Cecilia Zavariz, Occupational Physician, Brazil
  16. Daniel Cabral da Silva, ACPO, Santos, Brazil
  17. Jeffer Castelo Branco - Nucleo de Saude Socioambiental, Brazil
  18. PROMAC, Enviromental Protection Association, Brazil
  19. Zuleica Nycz, Toxisphera Environmental Health Association, Brazil
  20. Environmental Association Za Zemiata, Bulgaria
  21. Gilbert Kuepouo, Ph.D., Coordinator, CREPD- Research and Education Center for Development, Cameroon
  22. Anna Tilman, Vice-President, International Institute of Concern for Public Health (IICPH), Canada
  23. International Institute of Concern for Public Health (IICPH), Canada
  24. RightOnCanada.ca (Kathleen Ruff, Founder and Director), Canada
  25. Da Mao, PhD, Environmental Historian, School of Environmental Health, Nature University, Green Beagle, China
  26. Jiang Chao, Program Manager, Global Village of Beijing, China
  27. Lang Dezhong, Green Longjiang, China
  28. Wang Ying, Campaigner, Greenpeace China, China
  29. Yun Jianli, President, Green Hanjiang- Environment Protection Association of Xiangfan City, China
  30. YU Xiaoyong Deputy Secretary General Friends Of Green China Tianjin, China
  31. Zhang Hong, Program Superviser, Global Village of Beijing, China
  32. Dominique Bally, Vice President-Africa, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Cote d Ivoire
  33. Arnika - Toxics and Waste Programe, Czech Republic
  34. Day Hospital Institute For Development & Rehabilitation, Egypt
  35. French Association NON AU MERCURE DENTAIRE (Marie GROSMAN, scientific advisor), France
  36. Marie Grosman, Vice President-Europe, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, France
  37. Greens Movement of Georgia / Friends of the Earth - Georgia (Rusudan Simonidze, Co-Chair), Georgia
  38. Manana Devidze, Director, Foundation Caucasus Environment, Tbilisi, Georgia
  39. BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany), Germany
  40. German League for Nature and Environment (Deutscher Naturschutzring - DNR), Germany
  41. Dr. Kurt E. Muller, Chairman of European Academy for Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM), Member of the Board of Deutscher Berufsverband der Umweltmediziner (dbu), Germany
  42. Sonja Haider, Munich, Germany
  43. WECF - Women in Europe for a Common Future, Germany, France and The Netherlands
  44. Silvia K. Muller, CSN - Chemical Sensitivity Network, Germany
  45. Prithvi Innovations (Anuradha Gupta, Founder Secretary), India
  46. Satish Sinha, Associated Director, Toxics Link, New Delhi, India
  47. A.Rara Dewanti, Indonesia
  48. Dahlia Rera Oktasiani, IOFC Indonesia, Indonesia
  49. Hendra Aquan, Founder - Fund Raiser of Transformasi Hijau, Indonesia
  50. I Nyoman Sridana, the Chief of the Pelangan Village, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
  51. Puteri Siti Salmiati, Environmental Engineering, Bandung Institute of Technology Student Union, Indonesia
  52. Yuyun Ismawati, Indonesia Toxics-Free Network, Coordinator, Indonesia
  53. "Greenwomen" Analytical Environmental Agency, Kazakhstan
  54. Cecilia Ng'ang'a, Director iLima Organization, Kenya
  55. Griffins Ochieng, iLima Organization, Nairobi, Kenya
  56. Dr. Okeyo Benards, Director, Eco Ethics Int., Kenya
  57. NGO "Independent ecological expertise" (Oleg Pecheniuk, Chairman), Kyrgyz Republic
  58. Dr. Naji Kodeih, IndyACT - League of Independent Activists, Vice President-Middle East, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Lebanon
  59. Mageswari Sangaralingam, Research Officer, Consumers' Association of Penang, Malaysia
  60. Action For Breast Cancer Foundation Malta (Sarah Cardona, committee member), Malta
  61. Development Indian Ocean Network (DION)-Indian Ocean Islands NGO Network, Mauritius
  62. Pesticide Action Network-Mauritius, Mauritius
  63. Ambiente y Desarrollo humano de Coatzacoalcos (Dr Lorenzo M Bozada Robles, Presidente), Mexico
  64. Asociacion Ambientalista GUERREROS VERDES A.C. (Elena Kahn, Presidenta), Mexico
  65. Center for Analyses on Toxics and Alternatives (CAATA) (Fernando Bejarano, General Director), Mexico
  66. David Foust Rodriguez, volunteer at CEREAL (Labour Reflection and Action Center) Guadalajara, Mexico
  67. Fronteras Comunes (Marisa Jacott, Director), Mexico
  68. Jose Manuel Arias Rodriguez, Coordinador General, Asociacion Ecologica Santo Tomas A.C., Mexico
  69. Ilya Trombitsky, Eco-TIRAS Intl. Env. Assn. of Dniester River Keepers, Moldova
  70. Nature Environment & Health Center (Dolgormaa Lodoisambuu PhD, Head), Mongolia
  71. Dolruedee Kramnaimuang, Palmerston North, New Zealand
  72. Dr. Trevor King, Palmerton North, New Zealand
  73. Juliet Pratt, Vice President-Oceania, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, New Zealand
  74. Leslie Adogame, Executive Director, Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADev), Nigeria
  75. Abel Felix, Jr., Philippines
  76. aldrin natividad, Philippines
  77. Allan Ritchie Camacho, Philippines
  78. Amalie Conchelle H. Obusan, Philippines
  79. Angel de Dios, Philippines
  80. Anna Rhea Sesbre?}o, Philippines
  81. Atheena Trizia, Philippines
  82. Ban Toxics!, Quezon, Philippines
  83. bro. Martin Francisco, bsmp, Philippines
  84. Bruce dela Cruz, Philippines
  85. beng reyes ong, Philippines
  86. Carla Mae, Philippines
  87. casey nathalie domingo, Philippines
  88. Carmen O. Reyes, Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, Inc, Philippines
  89. Charize V. Angat, Philippines
  90. Chot Velasquez, Environment Management Specialist/Social Engineering, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippines
  91. Communication Foundation for Asia, Philippines
  92. Consumer Rights for Safe Food (CRSF), Philippines
  93. Cox Del Prado Decena, Philippines
  94. Cristina Derillo, Philippines
  95. Cut Roll, Philippines
  96. Deceree A. Sesbreno, Philippines
  97. Dr. Lillian Lasaten Ebuen, Vice President-East Asia, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, Philippines
  98. Elsie B. Retanan, Risen christ Parish=Min. on Ecology. Silang, Cavite, Philippines
  99. elsie sumodobila, Philippines
  100. Francisco P. De Vera Jr, Philippines
  101. Genevieve Anne N. Galino, Philippines
  102. Gesselle Noveda, Philippines
  103. jacinto albert sumodobila, Philippines
  104. Jam Maramot, Philippines
  105. James Oliver Mendoza, Philippines
  106. Jenny Tuazon, Philippines
  107. Jesus Cezar, Philippines
  108. jhane estremadora, Philippines
  109. Joan Christy Meris, Philippines
  110. Johanna May R. Borja, Philippines
  111. John Lester Borja, Philippines
  112. Jonah Andrea D. Mapula, Philippines
  113. Jose Angelo Santos, Philippines
  114. Julia Mae A. Sesbreno, Philippines
  115. Justine Mae Sesbreno, Philippines
  116. Ka Noli Abinales, Philippines
  117. Kenneth Bryan Panganiban, Philippines
  118. KEVIN ALDEA, Philippines
  119. khery, Philippines
  120. Kim Tupaz, Philippines
  121. kristina hernandez-pedraya, Philippines
  122. Lareita Seet, Philippines
  123. Sister Ma. Aida Velasquez, OSB, Lingkod Tao-Kalikasan (In the Service of the Human-Earth Community), Philippines
  124. Mariah Valiao, Philippines
  125. Mary Miriam Sesbre?}o, Philippines
  126. Misael Joan Francia, Philippines
  127. Mother Earth Foundation (Sonia S. Mendoza, Chairman), Philippines
  128. Pam Camacho, Philippines
  129. Phokz Celestial, Philippines
  130. Rafhael Salazar, Philippines
  131. Reina Garcia, Philippines
  132. Rebecca Sushiela Perez Lagunsad, Philippines
  133. Regina S. Dy Seng, Philippines
  134. Reimann Christian Santos, Philippines
  135. Reji Patch, Philippines
  136. Rey Palacio, Philippines
  137. Rior Santos, Philippines
  138. Romelrico Modina, Philippines
  139. Ronald Atadero, Philippines
  140. ronald pedraya, Philippines
  141. Ronnel Acebes, Philippines
  142. wellai, Philippines
  143. Sarah Marie P. Aviado, Philippines
  144. Earth Community), Philippines, Philippines
  145. Fundatia Speranta Sf. Stefan, Romania
  146. "Sun Valley" Association, Romania
  147. ing. Dan-Calin Tocaciu, SVA, Romania
  148. ing. Vlad-Catalin Tocaciu, SVA, Romania
  149. Tatariu Cornel, SVA, Romania
  150. Olga Speranskaya, CoChair, International POPs Elimination Network, Director, Eco-Accord Program on Chemical Safety, Russia
  151. "Volgograd-Ecopress" Information Centre, Russia
  152. groundWork, Friends of the Earth South Africa, South Africa
  153. South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Durban, South Africa
  154. Jeong-ok Kong MD/MPH, Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health, South Korea
  155. ASOCIACION ESTATAL DE AFECTADOS POR LOS SINDROMES DE SENSIBILIDAD QUIMICA Y FATIGA CRONICA, FIBROMIALGIA Y PARA LA DEFENSA DE LA SALUD AMBIENTAL (ASQUIFYDE), Spain
  156. David Palma, Barcelona, Spain
  157. Ecologistas en Accion, Sevilla, Spain
  158. Eva Caballe, Economist, Patient with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Barcelona, Spain
  159. Servando Perez-Dominguez, President of MERCURIADOS (dental amalgams mercury victims and other mercury victims), Spain
  160. Lars D. Hylander PhD, Assoc. Prof. at Uppsala University, Sweden
  161. Ulf Bengtsson, 1st Research Engineer, Linkoping University, Sweden
  162. David Azoulay, Managing Attorney, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Geneva, Switzerland
  163. Prof. Jamidu H.Y. Katima PhD, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  164. Mwadhini O. Myanza, Executive Director, Irrigation Training and Economic Empowerment Organization - IRTECO, Tanzania
  165. Silvani Mng'anya, Principal Program Officer, AGENDA, Tanzania
  166. Muazama Burkhanova, PhD, Chair of Public Ecological Association "Foundation to Support Civil Initiatives (FSCI)", Tajikistan
  167. Alternative Agriculture Network - Lower North & Central Region (Phulphet Seelueng), Chachoengsao, Thailand
  168. Alternative Agriculture Network - Northeast (Mahasarakam province) (Ubon U-Wha), Thailand
  169. Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  170. Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN-North) (Arun Yhai-kam), Chiang Rai, Thailand
  171. Alternative Energy Project for Sustainability (AEPS) (Wacharee Plaong-loeng-thong), Thailand
  172. Amarin Saichan (as an individual), EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  173. Ashijya Otwong (as an individual), EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  174. Assembly of People, For People and For the EARTH (Teerawat Namdaung), Rayong, Thailand
  175. Attree Chimnok (as an individual artist), Chiang Mai, Thailand
  176. Ban Krud Environment and Nature Conservation Group (Chintana Kaewkhao), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
  177. Biothai Foundation, Nonthaburi (Witoon Lienchamloon), Thailand
  178. Blur Borders (Nopawan Sirivejkul), Bangkok, Thailand
  179. Campaign on Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM) (Lertsak Kumkongsak), Thailand
  180. Center for Peace and Conflict Studies (Prof. Surichai Wun'gaeo, Director), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  181. Chanchai CHAISUKKOSOL (as an individual), Lecturer, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom province, Thailand
  182. Chantana Banpasirichote, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  183. Chantrapa Jindathong (as an individual), Social worker, Umphang Hospital, Tak Province, Thailand
  184. Choohadej Bhromseranee (as an individual), city planning specialist, Bangkok, Thailand
  185. Chumchonthai Foundation (Preeda kongpaen), Bangkok, Thailand
  186. Civil Society Planning Network (Paranee Sawasdirak), Bangkok, Thailand
  187. Copper Mining Campaign Group (Samruey Thong-chan), Amphoe Muang, Loei, Thailand
  188. Council of Work and Environment Related Patient's Network of Thailand (WEPT) (Somboon Srikamdokkae), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  189. Darunee Paisanpanichkul (as an individual), Lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
  190. Dawan Chantarahesdee (as an individual) Klongdan, Bangbor, Samutprakarn, Thailand
  191. Development of Older People Group (Weerapong Kanwannawakul), Chiang Rai, Thailand
  192. Dr. Arpa Wangkiat (as an individual), Rangsit University, Pathumthani, Thailand
  193. Dr. Buntoon Srethasirote, Director, Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
  194. Dr. Opart Panya (as an individual), Board member of Greenpeace of Southeast Asia, Bangkok, Thailand
  195. Dr. Pitsamai Purisinsit Eamsakulrat, Bangkapi, Bangkok, Thailand
  196. Dr. Voravidh Charoenloet, Faculty of Economics Chiang Mai University, Thailand
  197. Drug Study Group (Wanna Sriwiriya-nupap), Thailand
  198. Eastern People Network (Sutti Atchasai), Rayong Province, Thailand
  199. Ecological and Culture Study Group (Bampen Chaiyarak), Udornthani, Thailand
  200. EnLAW (Surachai Trong-ngam, Director), Thailand
  201. Foundation for Consumers (Saree Aongsomwang), Bangkok, Thailand
  202. Foundation for Women (Usa Lerdsrisanthud, Director), Bangkok, Thailand
  203. FTA Watch (Jacques-chai Chomthongdee), Bangkok, Thailand
  204. Green World Foundation (Keurmaetha Rerkpornpipat, Website Editor), Bangkok, Thailand
  205. Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Ply Pirom), Bangkok, Thailand
  206. Health & Development Foundation, (H&DF) (Sumlee Jaidee), Thailand
  207. Healthy Public Policy Foundation (Suphakit Nuntavorakarn), Thailand
  208. Itthaboon Onwongsa (as an individual) Nonthaburi, Thailand
  209. Jingjung Nasae, (as an individual), EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  210. Jiraporn Limpananont (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  211. Junya Yimprasert, Action for People's Democracy in Thailand, Thailand
  212. Jutamas Sappradid (as an individual) Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  213. Kaewta Phetcharat (as an individual), Surat Thani province, Thailand
  214. Kanchana Ya-ud, (as an individual) Ecological Alert and Recovery ? Thailand, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  215. Kannikar Kijtiwatchakul, (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  216. Karen Studies and Development Center (Surapong Kongchantuk), Thailand
  217. Karnt Thassanaphak(as an individual), Nampong district, Konkaen, Thailand
  218. Kulapa Vajanasara (as an individual), Researcher,Institute for Population and Social Research,Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  219. Kwanchai Muenying (as an individual) webmaster, BioThai Foundation, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  220. Local Care Bonok (Korn-u-ma Pongnoi), Prachub Kirikhan, Thailand
  221. Luntharimar Longcharoen (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  222. Mae Sod Zinc Mining Resistance (Yannaphat Prai-mee-saab), Amphoe Mae Sod, Tak, Thailand
  223. Mining Monitoring Network of the Mae Soi River Basin (Phra Yongyuth Thee-pra-go (Bhikkhu)), Amphoe Wang-Chin, Prae, Thailand
  224. Mongkol Plienbangchang (as an individual) Bangkok, Thailand
  225. Montana Daungprapa, lawyer, Bangkok, Thailand
  226. Nanthaporn Techaprasertsakul (as an individual), Master Degree Student, Jounalism Faculty, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  227. Narumol Arunothai (as an individual), Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  228. Ngao Coal Mine Resistance Group (Waew-warin Buan-goen), Amphoe Ngao, Lampang Province, Thailand
  229. Nicha Rakpanichmanee (as an individual), Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, Thailand
  230. Nimit Tienudom, Director, AIDS ACCESS Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
  231. Oranuch Lerdkulladilok (as an individual), Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
  232. Penchom Saetang, Director, Ecological Alert and Recovery-Thailand (EARTH), Thailand
  233. Petrochemical Industrial Estate Study Group and Public Policy Related Affected Community-Support Network (Songwut Phatkeaw), Nakorn-Sri-thammarat, Thailand
  234. Plan to Promote the System Development to Build-up Healthiness of Farmers, Community (Tussanee Verakan), Thailand
  235. Potash Mining Resistance Group (Suwit Kulaap-wong), Udon Thani, Thailand
  236. Project for Ecological Awareness Building (EAB) (Sayamol Kaiyoorawong), Trang, Thailand
  237. Rangsima Limpisawas (as an individual), Nonthaburi province, Thailand
  238. Renu Vejaratpimol, PhD, Associate Professor in Animal Biotechnology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, Nakorn Pathom, Thailand
  239. Rice Fund Surin Organic Cooperative Ltd (Sompoi ChanSaeng), Surin, Thailand
  240. Sajin Prachason (as an individual), Analyst, Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand
  241. Siraporn Kaewsombat, Help Without Frontiers Foundation Thailand, Mae Sot, Tak, Thailand
  242. Siriluk Sriprasit (as an individual), Special Lecturer, Department of International Affairs, Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
  243. Songkran Pongboonchan, Lawyer, (as an individual) EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  244. Southern Alternative Agriculture Network (SAAN) (Ekkachai Issaratha), Songkha, Thailand
  245. Srisada Paisansakunchai (as an individual), Faculty of Law, Ubon Rajathanee University, Thailand
  246. Sukran Rojanapaiwong (as an individual) Nonthaburi, Thailand
  247. Suntaree H. Saeng-ging, Coordinator, Homenet, Bangkok, Thailand
  248. Supaporn Malailoy (as an individual) Coordinator, EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  249. Supara Janchiitfah (as an individual), Journalist, Bangkok, Thailand
  250. Surangrut jumnianpol, researcher, Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand
  251. Surarak Jaiwut (as an individual) Makhampom Foundation, Chiangmai, Thailand
  252. Sureerat Treemanka (as an individual) Bangkok, Thailand
  253. Surin Farmers Support Project (Thanya Saeng-Ubon), Thailand
  254. Sustainable Agriculture Foundation Thailand (SAF) (Supa Yaimuang), Thailand
  255. Thai Holistic Health Foundation (Weerapong Krieng-sinyos), Bangkok, Thailand
  256. Thai Judicial Process Research Team (TJP) (Pichet Maolanond), Bangkok, Thailand
  257. Thai Netizen Network (Pichate Yingkiattikun), Bangkok, Thailand
  258. Thai Working Group for Climate Justice (TCJ) (Faikham Hannarong), Bangkok, Thailand
  259. Thap Sakae Conservative Group (Sureerat Taechutrakul), Thailand
  260. The Women Network for Progress and Peace (Pimtham Auafua), Bangkok, Thailand
  261. Thiwa Taeng-orn, the Borwin Community Group to Protect Environment from Dowa's Hazardous Waste Protect, Chonburi Province, Thailand
  262. Three Provinces Network Against Gold Mining in Pichit, Phetchabun and Pisanulok Provinces (Sue-gunya Theerachart-damrong), Thailand
  263. Tii Trairatanasaengmanee (as an individual), Tambon Nongkob, Amphoe Nongsaeng, Saraburi Province, Thailand
  264. Vasana Chinvarakorn, (as an individual) freelance writer Bangkok, Thailand
  265. Vithaya Kulsomboon PhD, Associate Professor, Health Consumer Protection Program, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  266. Walaiporn Mooksuwan (as an individual), Ecological Alert and Recovery - Thailand (EARTH), Nonthaburi, Thailand
  267. Wang Sapung, Gold Mine Monitor (Wachara-porn Wattana-kham), Loei Province, Thailand
  268. Wanun permpibul (as an individual), Bangkok, Thailand
  269. Warunee Khantri (as an individual), EnLAW, Bangkok, Thailand
  270. Weerapong Kangwannawakul, Local Thai Toys, Chiangrai province, Thailand
  271. Wichitra Chusukul, Manager, Net Foundation, Surin Province, Thailand
  272. Women Network for Progress and Peace (Pimtham Auafua), Bangkok, Thailand
  273. Dr. Najwa Bourawi, Persident of APEDDUB, Tunisia
  274. Ellady Muyambi, Secretary General, Uganda Network on Toxic Free Malaria Control (UNETMAC), Uganda
  275. Asfara Ahmed, MSc in Environmental Change and Management University of Oxford 2011-2012, UK
  276. Javier Souza Casad, coordinador regional, Red de Accion en plaguicidas de America Latina RAPAL, Uruguay
  277. Arlene Blum PhD, Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
  278. Arthur L. Frank MD, PhD, Occupational Physician, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  279. Basel Action Network (Jim Puckett, Executive Director), USA
  280. Cara Lovell, Boston, MA, USA
  281. Consumers for Dental Choice, USA
  282. Charles G. Brown, President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, USA
  283. David Lennett, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, USA
  284. Daryl Ditz Ph.D. (Director, Chemicals Program), Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Washington, DC, USA
  285. Environmental Health Fund (EHF) (Judith Robinson, Executive Director), USA
  286. Jennifer Federico, Oakland, CA, USA
  287. Joseph DiGangi PhD, Senior Science and Technical Advisor of IPEN, USA
  288. Mercury Policy Project/Tides Center, VT, USA
  289. Pamela Miller, Executive Director, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, AK, USA
  290. Rosalyn Driscoll, Independent Artist, Haydenville, MA USA
  291. SafeMinds (Eric Uram), USA
  292. Sciencecorps (Kathleen Burns, Ph.D., Director), Lexington, MA, USA
  293. Sierra Club (Richard Cellarius), USA
  294. Susan Egan Keane, Senior Analyst at NRDC in Washington DC, USA
  295. Ted Smith, Coordinator,International Campaign for Responsible Technology, San Jose, CA, USA
  296. Tom Lent - Policy Director - Healthy Building Network, CA, USA
  297. Yuka Takamiya, Basel Action Network, Seattle, WA, USA
  298. „@„ƒ„ƒ„€„ˆ„y„p„ˆ„y„‘ "„H„p „„{„€„|„€„s„y„‰„u„ƒ„{„y „‰„y„ƒ„„„…„ „U„u„‚„s„p„~„…", Uzbekistan
  299. Dilbar Zaynutdinova, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Director of Woman's Environmental Law Center "Armon", Uzbekistan
  300. Fundacion Aguaclara, Venezuela
  301. Health Care Without Harm (Joshua Karliner, International Team Coordinator) , International
  302. World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, International
Signatory receieved on and after February 29, 2012 : 3

  1. Samuel Tetsopgang, Project Manager, CREPD (Research and Education Centre for Development), Cameroon
  2. Kristine Natividad, Philippines
  3. Somying Soontornwong, Community Forestry Supporting Network, Bangkok, Thailand
Additional Signatories from ASGM Miners and Mining Community Officials in Philippines
Total 51: received on January 29, 2012
Not submitted to Japanese government.
  1. Lomino N. Kaniteng President, Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners, Inc. (BFSSMI)
  2. Leoncio D. Na-oy Secretary General, BFSSMI
  3. Ricardo N. Liwayan Business Manager, BFSSMI
  4. Tony P. Bestre Board Director, BFSSMI
  5. Alfred S. Bugnosen Board Director, BFSSMI
  6. Dominic Sugguiyao Supervising Environmental Management Specialist, Environment and Natural Resources Office,
  7. Reynold Balao-as Board Trustee, Banao Bodong Association (BBA), Balbalan, Kalinga
  8. Alicia B. Cagayongan Board Trustee, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  9. Willy Duguiawe Board Trustee, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  10. Royce D. Lingbawan Board Trustee, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  11. Pollard Tangbawan Secretary, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  12. Juliet S. Guiaoan Treasurer, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  13. Jaime Boreta Officer, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  14. Ryan Chulipa Officer, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  15. Noel Lingbawan Officer, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  16. Royce Ramos Officer, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  17. Connie B. Balao-as Collector, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  18. Digna C. Lingayo LGU Representative, BBA, Balbalan, Kalinga
  19. Edgar E. Dasco Board Member, Province of Camarines Norte and
  20. Dindo V. Pardo Municipal Mayor, Labo, Camarines Norte
  21. Valentino V. De Vera Legislative Staff, Labo, Camarines Norte
  22. Maria V. Parale Barangay Kagawad, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  23. Marvin B. Villaluz Barangay Kagawad, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  24. Felizardo Serrano Financier/Miner, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  25. Alfredo V. Verganio Ball Mill Operator, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  26. Ceferino DL Lacson Jr. Miner, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  27. Jay C. Oropesa Miner, Dalas, Labo, Camarines Norte
  28. Ricarte R. Padilla Municipal Mayor, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  29. Norberto Gorias Municipal Staff, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  30. Danilo Panol Municipal Staff, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  31. Sarah Marie P. Aviado Sangguniang Bayan Member, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  32. Arnel Book Engineer, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  33. Ronnie Clacio Small Scale Miner/Operator, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  34. Gaudencio F. Garcia, Sr. Small Scale Miner/Operator, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  35. Jonathan Barida Miner, Sta. Rosa Sur, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  36. Eduardo Barrameda Miner, Sta. Rosa Sur, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  37. Jose S. Maligat Miner, Sta. Rosa Sur, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  38. Alejandro S. Padua Miner, Sta. Rosa Sur, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte
  39. Romeo Y. Moreno Municipal Mayor, Paracale, Camarines Norte
  40. Adel A. Zamudio Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, Paracale, Camarines Norte
  41. Zaldy E. Moya Punong Barangay/Miner, Paracale, Camarines Norte
  42. Noel M. Zafra, Jr. Secretary General, Federation of Small Scale Gold Processors, Paracale, Camarines Norte
  43. Brigido Oco, Jr. Operator, Paracale, Camarines Norte
  44. Juancho Collamar Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer, Aroroy, Masbate
  45. Efren D. Pensader President, Processors Association, Aroroy, Masbate
  46. Baltazar T. Quilario Vice President, Association of Concerned Residents of Aroroy Inc.
  47. Lemuel E. Retardo Miner, Aroroy, Masbate
  48. Joseph Anthony L. Diosana Barangay Secretary, Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, Compostela Valley
  49. Roberto C. Buniales President, Mindanao Federation, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
  50. Rafael C. Baniqued, Jr. Chairman, Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for National Progress, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
  51. Arandy D. Silva Board Member, Monte De Oro Small Scale Miners Association, Inc., Zamboanga Sibugay
Why is the mercury export ban of Japan important?
Under the UN Environment Program (UNEP), the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) that creates a legally binding international mercury treaty to reduce worldwide emissions and discharges of mercury commenced its work in 2010 with the goal of completing the negotiations in 2013. The three meetings (INC1, INC2 and INC3) were already taken place and the two meetings (NC4 and INC5) are scheduled to be held this year and next year respectively.

One of the most important agendas being negotiated at the INCs to reduce worldwide emission of mercury is reduction of mercury export. In the autumn of 2008, the European Union (EU) and followed by the United States of America enacted historic mercury export bans and took related actions to promote safe storage of excess mercury.

On the other hand, although Japan has the tragic history of Minamata with mercury, unfortunately as shown in the graph and tables, Japanese mercury export amounts to more than 100 metric tons per year on an average. The exports are mainly derived from nonferrous metal smelters and recycling of mercury containing wastes and are exported to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, resulting in the re-circulation of mercury into the global marketplace and eventually ending up in environmentally unsound practices such as whole-ore amalgamation in small-scale gold mining.

As major trading giants in the world with substantial economic clout, we are certain that the mercury export bans in concert with the EU, US and Japan will have a tremendous impact on mercury reduction worldwide and will surely contribute to accelerate the promotion of an effective international mercury treaty to be set up by UNEP in 2013.

In October 2009, we already submitted the first CSO Joint statement to ask Japanese government to enact mercury export ban act but so far, Japanese government did nothing at all, and so this time we decided to launch the second CSO Joint statement for Japanese mercury export ban.

As mentioned above, in the separate statement we are now asking Japanese government to make every effort to Incorporate the Lessons Learned from Minamata into Article 14 Contaminated Site. If Japanese government who is responsible for the Minamata tragedy can realize the requirements in the both CSO statements, then we think it is a chance for Japan to become champion of the mercury treaty.


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