That's where you're wrong.
It's NOT medicating, it's about supplying lithium to help reduce rate of deficiency or to maintain optimal mental health. We did with fluoride. We did with fortification. We did a lot for the public.
Lithium is NOT manufactured, it's extracted from the ground. Sheesh, you are so wrong. Come on, fess up.
Would you drink water that's already naturally rich in lithium? If you won't, then you're not being logical at all.
As for japan not having deficiencies - the difference between Americans and Japanese is that they eat a LOT Of vegetables, we don't. We're much meat and potatoes. If Americans start eating MORE as recommended, then we would NOT need fortification or even flouride but the reality is that many don't get enough of them.