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2012 February 15 - 21 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

Former nuclear plant worker files suit for compensation

A former nuclear power plant worker on February 17 filed a lawsuit with the Fukuoka District Court against the state’s rejection of his claim for workers compensation for myocardial infarction.

The plaintiff is former plumber Umeda Ryusuke, 76. In 1979 he worked on the periodic inspections of reactor containers at the Shimane plant (Matsue City, Shimane Pref.) and the Tsuruga plant (Tsuruga City, Fukui Pref.).

After the work, he started suffering from nose bleeds and fatigue. Nagasaki University in 1979 detected in his body radioactive substances that do not normally exist in human bodies, such as cobalt and cesium.

In 2000, Umeda was diagnosed with myocardial infarction. In 2008, he applied for work-related compensation, but the Matsue labor standards inspection office turned down his application.

“Many workers are still engaged in dangerous work at nuclear reactors in Fukushima and elsewhere in Japan. I decided to bring the case to the court because this is not only about me,” said Umeda.