EBA Minamata 2023

The EBA Fieldwork Program is an on-site, immersive experience where participants apply the Evidence-Based Approach to real-world issues. The EBA Minamata Fieldwork 2023 focuses on the revitalization of Minamata City, Japan, and examines the lessons of Minamata Disease, environmental pollution, eco-rehabilitation, and sustainable urban development. Over the course of the program, learners engage directly with the history and present condition of Minamata, exploring how a city affected by industrial pollution has worked toward recovery and resilience.

Participants actively apply the EBA method in practice through data collection, data analysis, data visualization, and storytelling. They investigate the questions, “In the digital era, how can we revitalize Minamata City?” and “How could the Minamata Disease incident have been avoided if modern technology had been available?” Through field visits, stakeholder discussions, group work, and reflection, participants examine the current situation in Minamata City and propose possible solutions for sustainable development based on evidence gathered from the local context.

By completing this program, learners strengthen their ability to connect research, field evidence, historical lessons, technology and social context in addressing real-world challenges. The experience deepens their understanding of environmental sustainability, community resilience, and evidence-based problem solving, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the design of resilient and sustainable future societies.

Study Requirement: 90 hours, including pre- and post-fieldwork activities

Topics Covered in This Course

The Revitalization of Minamata City: Examining how Minamata City can be revitalized in the digital era while considering its current social, environmental, and historical context.
Minamata Disease and Environmental Pollution: Investigating the history and impacts of Minamata Disease, caused by mercury pollution from a chemical factory, and reflecting on how similar incidents could be prevented through modern knowledge and technology.
Sustainable Urban Development: Exploring how local communities respond to environmental tragedy and how evidence-based solutions can support sustainable development in Minamata City.
Locations Visited: Participants visit and engage with sites and stakeholders including Minamata Environmental Academia, Minamata Disease Municipal Museum, Minamata Disease Archive, Minamata Eco Park, JNC Minamata Factory, National Institute for Minamata Disease, Fukuda Farm, Act-B Recycling, Tanaka Shoten, Kugino Village, and Minamata High School.
Field Observations and Reflection: Participants collect evidence through field visits, stakeholder discussions, storytelling sessions, and workshops, reflecting on how lessons from Minamata can be applied to current and future environmental and social challenges.

Learning Outcomes

This course offers learners the ability to:

Apply the Evidence-Based Approach (EBA) to real-world field research challenges.
Collect, document, and analyze data using observation, discussion and field-based inquiry.
Communicate findings through reflection, discussion, and evidence-based storytelling.
Understand the issues and challenges related to Minamata Disease and its long-term environmental and social impacts.
Understand the current situation of Minamata City through the lessons of Minamata Disease and the eco-rehabilitation of a city affected by pollution.
Engage with local stakeholders to understand community perspectives on environmental recovery and sustainable development.
Propose possible solutions for Minamata City in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations.

Related Courses

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Prerequisite

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Criteria

This badge was awarded to the learners who completed the following criteria:

Participate in pre-workshop activities in preparation for the fieldwork.
Join the fieldwork and actively participate in all field activities.
Present outcomes of the fieldwork and further developments during the final public presentation.
Successfully complete the fieldwork’s final report.