From Gray Skies to Blue Skies: Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City—Memories of Pollution and Community Revitalization, 1978–Present

In Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City, air pollution caused by factory smoke and automobile exhaust became severe during the period of rapid economic growth, and many residents suffered health problems such as asthma. In 1978, the Nishiyodogawa Air Pollution Lawsuit began, and after a lengthy legal battle, a settlement was reached between the plaintiffs and the companies in 1995. Rather than letting the issue of pollution end with mere compensation, the victims decided to use their experiences to revitalize the community. In 1996, the Pollution-Affected Area Revitalization Center—commonly known as the Aozora Foundation—was established. Its activities expanded to include preserving pollution-related documents, recording the life histories of pollution victims, environmental education, community surveys, town planning that makes use of parks and the natural environment, and exchanges both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, efforts were made to preserve the memory of the pollution as part of the community’s history and pass it on to future generations. The history of Nishiyodogawa is one of transforming pollution—rather than confining it as a tragedy of the past—into wisdom for improving the community. The experiences of those who once lived under gray skies have been passed down to the present day as a driving force for community revitalization, aimed at handing down blue skies to future generations.