Even as activities to file the Yokkaichi Air Pollution Lawsuit were garnering attention, heated discussions were being heldby the Yokkaichi City Assembly in July 1967 regarding reclamation of the public water area beyond Kasumigaurato construct the Petrochemical Complex No. 3.
Written statements and petitions from the local residents, who were worried that pollution would further spread, were submitted at the fully attended meeting, with about 200 people in the gallery seats, and continued late into the night. Construction of the petrochemical complex was approved on the condition that all possible measures to prevent environmental pollution would be implemented.