1.
pollution; environmental damage; public nuisance
Environmental harm caused by industrial or human activity that affects public health and living conditions. A key term in Japanese environmental history, especially regarding the pollution crises of the 1960s-70s.
公害問題は深刻だ。
The pollution problem is serious.
工場からの排水が公害の原因となった。
Wastewater from the factory became the cause of pollution.
高度経済成長期には、各地で公害が発生し社会問題になった。
During the period of rapid economic growth, pollution occurred in various regions and became a social issue.
A central concept in modern Japanese history. Japan's rapid industrialization in the 1960s led to severe pollution incidents known as the 四大公害病 (four major pollution-related diseases), including Minamata disease and Itai-itai disease.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 公害問題 (pollution problem)
- 公害病 (pollution-related disease)
- 公害対策 (pollution countermeasures)
- 公害訴訟 (pollution lawsuit)
USAGE NOTE:
公害 specifically refers to pollution that harms public welfare, distinguishing it from general 汚染 (contamination). It has a legal dimension in Japan — the 公害対策基本法 (Basic Law for Environmental Pollution Control) was enacted in 1967.