Friday 19, November, 2004, 09:30-8:30
Saturday 20, November, 2004, 09:30-18:30
Sunday 21,November, 2004, 09:30-12:30
Photo Exhibition
 |
Akira Imai
Photographer, Japan
ABSTRACT
As a silent time bomb, asbestos is about to explode in the fast-aging Japanese society. Although mesothelioma was previously rare and little known, its sufferers have been drastically increasing in number, and the malignant disease has become a major concern along with lung cancer for retired workers who have a history of exposure to asbestos, a notorious carcinogen, and their families. A sudden diagnosis of the disease uncovers the victims' forgotten history of exposure, which goes back 30 or 40 years. Their suffering reflect‚“ the depth and extensiveness of asbestos pollution that prevailed unnoticed during the post-war economic growth. Between the early 1950s and the late 1970s, asbestos was massively used as a convenient material in shipbuilding, construction and other industries. The workers, who were proud of their ability to support Japan historic economic growth, have now retired and are in old age, when they should normally be able to care for their aged bodies to enjoy a happy life in the midst of their beloved grandchildren. Their humble hope of being rewarded for many years of hard work after their retirement, however, are undermined by their deteriorating health condition; they now find themselves riddled with the characteristic symptoms of pneumoconiosis, such as prolonged episodes of cough, phlegm, and breathlessness. Those victims who are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma are reduced to living with the constant fear of death.
But will those who know the cause of their suffering rise again for a society that is free of the damages of asbestos, and ever shows us their smiling face again? We are afraid that we will see their smile only in their funeral portraits, although such photos demonstrate their pride in their jobs, ties with their families and joys and sorrows of life. Even if the use of asbestos is prohibited at large in our country, photos of asbestos victims will continue to relay strong messages. This is because theirs are messages from Heaven that will continue to alert the world about the tragedies of asbestos until such tragedies completely disappear. The photograph exhibition, which is organized in conjunction with the Global Asbestos Congress 2004 in Tokyo, is a great opportunity to deliver the following message: "No More Asbestos!"