In 1964, the first death in Yokkaichi due to environmental pollutionoccurred. Anti-pollution protesters now began to consider filing a lawsuit against companies responsible for the environmental pollution.
They consulted the TokaiLabor Union attorneys, and preparations to file a lawsuit were begun in 1966. After overcoming many challenges, including setting up a support system and establishing who the plaintiffs would be, the lawsuit was filed on September 1, 1967.