EBA Minamata 2024

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 2024 focuses on the revitalization of Minamata City, Japan, and examines the history, impact, and lessons of Minamata Disease, which was caused by mercury pollution from a chemical factory in the 1950s. Over the course of the program, learners explore how environmental pollution, community recovery, and sustainable development intersect in a city shaped by significant pollution-related public health tragedies.

Participants actively apply the EBA method in practice, by learning through field-based data collection, analysis, visualization and storytelling. In this fieldwork, they investigate the question, “In the digital era, how can we revitalize Minamata City?” while considering the current situation of the city. Through field visits, stakeholder discussions, workshops, group work, and reflection, participants compare perspectives from the government, the private sector, Minamata Disease survivors, younger generations, and local communities.

By completing this program, learners strengthen their ability to connect field evidence, historical lessons, stakeholder perspectives, and sustainable development challenges. The experience deepens their understanding of environmental pollution, eco-rehabilitation, and evidence-based problem solving, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to designing resilient and sustainable future societies.

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

Topics Covered in This Course

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 historical and ongoing lessons of industrial pollution, public health harm, and environmental responsibility through the case of Minamata Disease.
Sustainable Urban Development: Exploring how local communities and institutions contribute to environmental recovery, community revitalization, and the development of sustainable cities.
Locations Visited: Participants visit and engage with sites and stakeholders including Minamata Environmental Academia, Minamata Eco Park, JNC Corporation, Supporting Center for Minamata Disease, Shoshisha, Minamata Disease Museum, Fukuda Farm, Eco-town, Environmental Clean Center, Kugino Village, and Minamata High School.
Field Observations and Reflection: Participants collect evidence through field visits, stakeholder discussions, storytelling sessions, and workshops, then reflect on how lessons from Minamata can inform current and future approaches to sustainability, recovery, and community revitalization.

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.
Compare perspectives from different stakeholders in Minamata, including government, private sector, survivors, younger generations, and local communities.
Propose possible solutions for Minamata City in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations.

Related Courses

Introduction to EBA course
- Introduction to EBA is an online program designed to equip participants with the essentials of field research and develop an evidence-based mindset. The course introduces key skills such as fostering a research mindset, handling and analyzing data, exploring findings through visualization and interpretation, and disseminating results effectively through storytelling and visual communication.

Learn more about the EBA programs at eba.soi.asia.

Prerequisite

EBA Fieldwork participants must have completed the following programs.

Introduction to EBA course

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.