disease

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Drug-induced hepatitis plaintiffs protest against government's appeal to higher court

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits claiming for government and drug maker compensation for their infection of the hepatitis C virus through tainted blood products condemned on June 29 the government's decision to appeal against the Osaka District Court ruling of June 21 that acknowledged the responsibility of the government.

The plaintiffs and their lawyers issued a statement demanding that the government fulfill its legal responsibility to reach an overall resolution of the issue.

They staged a protest in front of the Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry, urging Minister Kawaki Jiro to meet with them and hear their demands.

Plaintiff Takeda Seiko said, "The government's appeal amounts to abandoning us." Another plaintiff Kuwata Satoko said, "Having been ignored for more than 20 years, I can no longer wait for the resolution. The government must take safety and preventive measures for the benefit of the 3.5 million hepatitis patients."

Japanese Communist Party House of Councilors member Koike Akira encouraged the plaintiffs, criticizing the government for unreasonably appealing to the higher court.
- Akahata, June 30, 2006