Ashio Copper Mine: Light and Shadow (1)
With a history of copper production spanning approximately 400 years, the Ashio Copper Mine, Japan's largest, contributed greatly to Japan's modernization and industrialization. At the same time, however, it also experienced the mine pollution incidents that became a social problem during the Meiji period and are considered the "origin of pollution." These events are sometimes described as "light and shadow," and our ancestors made various efforts to turn the shadows into light. Unearthing this history and passing it on to future generations is extremely valuable in considering Ashio's industrial heritage and the shared challenge of "harmony between economic development and the natural environment." Furthermore, because these mines serve as symbols of this history, we are aiming to have them registered as a World Heritage Site.
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