Court Finalizes State Payment To Asbestos Victims


Court finalizes state payment to asbestos victims

Japan's Supreme Court has ordered the government to pay more than 22 million dollars in compensation to former construction workers who developed lung diseases caused by asbestos.

The ruling is the first holding the government responsible in lawsuits filed by former construction workers and bereaved families. The plaintiffs say former workers developed lung cancer and other illnesses after inhaling asbestos at construction sites. They have demanded that the state and manufacturers of the material pay damages.

Two years ago, the Tokyo High Court ordered the government to pay compensation amounting more than 22 million dollars to a group of about 350 people who live in Tokyo, Saitama and elsewhere.

Presiding Justice Miyama Takuya at the top court rejected the government's appeal by Wednesday and finalized its responsibility.

The ruling also acknowledged the government's responsibility for health problems of self-employed construction workers.

The court dismissed a complaint by the former construction workers about the amount of compensation.

It also accepted an appeal by the former construction workers over the responsibility of material manufacturers and decided to hold a hearing to listen to both sides on February 25.

Material manufacturers were not held responsible in a ruling by the Tokyo High Court. The hearing, which is necessary to change a lower court ruling, could lead to the high court decision being reviewed.