Downpour hits Niigata

Downpour hits Niigata

AGA, Japan - The Agano River is swollen due to downpour in the town of Aga, Niigata Prefecture, on July 29, 2011.

Downpour hits Niigata, Fukushima

Downpour hits Niigata, Fukushima

TOKYO, Japan - Downpour leaves houses inundated in Aga, Niigata Prefecture, in a photo from a Kyoto News helicopter on July 30, 2011. Seen on top R is the Agano River.

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Photo taken from a Kyodo News airplane on May 22, 2015, shows the mouth of the Agano River in the central Japan city of Niigata. Mercury-tainted wastewater discharged by a Showa Denko K.K. plant into the river caused Niigata Minamata Disease, which was officially confirmed a half century ago. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

SNAPSHOT: 50 yrs since confirmation of Niigata Minamata Disease

Photo taken May 6, 2015, in the central Japan town of Aga shows a drain outlet from which mercury-tainted wastewater entered the Agano River, causing Niigata Minamata Disease. While a half century has passed since "the second Minamata disease" was officially confirmed, the whole picture of the tragedy has not yet been clarified. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Downpour hits Niigata, Fukushima

Downpour hits Niigata, Fukushima

TOKYO, Japan - Downpour leaves houses inundated in Aga, Niigata Prefecture, in a photo from a Kyoto News helicopter on July 30, 2011. Seen on top R is the Agano River. (Kyodo)

Downpour hits Niigata

Downpour hits Niigata

AGA, Japan - The Agano River is swollen due to downpour in the town of Aga, Niigata Prefecture, on July 29, 2011. (Kyodo)