Chisso, Which Caused the Minamata Mercury Poisoning Disease, Marked the First Profit in 34 Years for the First Half-Year Ending September 2004

Petrochemical manufacturer Chisso Corporation, which has been continuing to pay damages to Minamata disease patients over many years, marked a profit on a non-consolidated basis. There were many listed companies that showed great increases in both turnover and profits in their interim financial results for FY2004. Especially noticeable were companies, centering on those in the steel, chemicals, electronic and machinery manufacturing industries, which posted record profits.