SRIREP Project, Research Institute for Humanity and Nature aims to elucidate a route to solve the global mercury pollution problem caused by the activity of Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in ASEAN countries. Therefore, we have been holding the “Japan – ASEAN medical seminars on Human Health Impact of Heavy Metals” in Indonesia and Myanmar in order to increase awareness and to promote the understanding of the impacts of mercury intoxication and pollution including other heavy metals on human health as well as about the diseases related to mercury intoxication among the health care professionals, researchers and general public of Indonesia and Myanmar.

On May 3rdand 5th, 2019, the 1stand 2ndJapan-ASEAN Medical seminars on Human Health Impact of Heavy Metals were held in Makassar and Gorontalo, Indonesia, respectively in collaboration with the local universities, medical organizations, and Kumamoto Gakuen University, Japan. At the seminars, researchers from Kumamoto Gakuen University introduced the study on the history of Minamata disease, its effects on society, and studies on the effects of heavy metals on the human body. A workshop on the evaluation of mercury poisoning was also conducted and about 210 participants participated in the seminars.

On October 31st, 2020, the 3rdJapan-ASEAN Medical Seminar entitled “General Information on Mercury and its Pollution” was held as the online Zoom Webinar in collaboration with Environmental Conservation Department (ECD), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) for the general public of Myanmar to increase the awareness on the danger of mercury pollution. A total of 109 people participated and discussed actively in the seminar.

This upcoming 4thJapan-ASEAN Medical Seminar “United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Minamata Convention on Mercury” will be carried out as the online Zoom Webinar for the lecture “Minamata Disease to Minamata Convention” by Professor Motoyuki Suzuki, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Japan Association for the United Nations Environment Program.

Please register from the URL or using the ID described above.

Once again, please join us at the seminar. Your participation is highly appreciated.

Thanks and regards,