Japan Press Weekly

Tweet

2014 October 22 - 28 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Health Minister apologizes to asbestos victims

Following the recent top court ruling that recognized the state’s responsibility for workers’ health damages caused by asbestos, Health Minister Shiozaki Yasuhisa on October 27 directly apologized to the plaintiffs in the ministry building.

Shiozaki met with 12 plaintiffs and bereaved families along with their lawyers. They requested the minister to make efforts to achieve early settlements of similar court cases as well as to take the responsibility for relieving all victims.

At a press conference after the meeting, the complainants pointed out that the Supreme Court decision removes workers’ families and residents living near asbestos factories from the list of people to be compensated. They insisted that the government should immediately implement relief measures for all people affected by the exposure to asbestos.

Past related article:
> Top Court: state responsible for workers’ illnesses caused by asbestos [October 10, 2014]