Japan Press Weekly

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2013 June 12 - 18 [ENVIRONMENT]

Amagasaki air pollution suit ends with car regulations

Air pollution victims in Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture and their legal team on June 13 concluded consultations to regulate the emissions of large vehicles with the state and Hanshin Expressway Company.

This has brought an end to the 25-year-long Amagasaki air pollution lawsuit filed against the government and the company by a total of 498 plaintiffs of whom 251 have already died.

Following a district court judgment ordering a suspension of pollutant emissions in January 2000, both sides agreed that state authorities would set regulations on large-sized vehicles. They have discussed regulatory contents since.

A written agreement says that the new rules will be effective to reduce heavy traffic with large vehicles and to improve atmospheric conditions.

Based on the agreement, the state will set about implementing regulations such as an “environmental road pricing and lane system” which encourages the use of roads to avoid driving in residential areas or near sidewalks.

After signing the agreement, plaintiffs’ group head Matsu Mitsuko said to reporters, “I want to share the victory written in this agreement with the deceased patients.”