Asbestos victims sue for ¥6.6 billion

A group of 178 construction workers and bereaved family members sued the government and 46 manufacturers Friday for failing to swiftly ban the production and use of construction materials containing asbestos.

The plaintiffs, many of whom are suffering from asbestos-related illnesses, are each demanding about 38.5 million yen in compensation for a total of 6.6 billion yen.

It is the first time a group of construction workers has filed a suit to hold the state responsible for asbestos-related illnesses and is one of the largest suits of its kind, lawyers for the plaintiffs said.

The lawsuit was filed at the Tokyo District Court.

The construction workers handled construction materials containing asbestos in the Tokyo metropolitan area starting in the 1960s. Many have since died of lung cancer, mesothelial tumors and other ailments. About half of the plaintiffs are bereaved family members.

The plaintiffs argue that the Japanese government should have heeded warnings from international organizations in 1972 that asbestos could be a carcinogen and taken steps to ban the production and use of the substance.

They said the health ministry was too slow in taking action, waiting until 2006 to ban the use and production of all asbestos products, in principle.

The plaintiffs also point to the responsibilities of the infrastructure ministry for authorizing the use of materials containing asbestos under the Building Standards Law, as well as the industry ministry for approving the material under Japanese Industrial Standards.

Although a law to assist sufferers of asbestos-related diseases took effect in 2006, it does not spell out the government's responsibility.

The law provides relief for workers and residents living near asbestos-related plants who are not covered by labor accident compensation insurance. But the plaintiffs say the compensation amount offered is too small.(IHT/Asahi: May 17,2008)