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Court orders state to pay damages for asbestos exposure The Osaka District Court on May 19 made the first court decision holding the government responsible for failing to take measures against asbestos hazards, ordering it to pay a total of 435 million yen in damages to 26 people. The lawsuit was filed by 29 former factory workers, their family members, as well as neighbors of the factory in Osakafs Sennan district. The court, however, denied the claims of neighboring residents. Attending the court session on behalf of her mother who is suffering from lung asbestosis at hospital, a 53-year-old woman said, gI was deeply moved by the court decision. By raising public opinion we need to create an asbestos-free society.h Plaintiffs and their lawyers on the same day issued a statement demanding that the government set up a compensation program for all victims and swiftly bring the issue to settlement. On May 20, they visited Tokyo to converge on the Health Ministry and the Environment Ministry. Accompanied by supporters and plaintiffs of other asbestos lawsuits, they called on the government not to appeal against the Osaka court decision. The streets in front of the two ministries were filled with about 1,000 people who braved the rain to take part in this action. - Akahata, May 20 and 21, 2010
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