Japan Press Weekly

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2014 September 10 - 16 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Nuclear evacuees in Kyushu sue gov’t and TEPCO

Fukushima nuclear disaster evacuees in the Kyushu region on September 9 filed with the Fukuoka District Court a lawsuit seeking a total of 170.5 million yen in compensation for damages from the state and Tokyo Electric Power Company.

Plaintiffs are 31 members of 10 families who have been evacuated to various areas in Kyushu from areas affected by the Fukushima meltdowns.

They criticized the state authorities and TEPCO, who are to be held responsible for the nuclear disaster, for neglecting to provide sufficient compensation and support for disaster victims who found shelter outside Fukushima.

A family who fled to Saga Prefecture from Fukushima’s Iwaki City said, “The nuclear accident has deeply affected our lives. We hope that this court battle will result in our receiving needed support.”

Plaintiffs’ lawyers said that this is the first lawsuit seeking Fukushima damages in Kyushu while similar lawsuits have been filed at 17 district courts in other parts of Japan.

Past related article:
> 1,650 people sue gov’t and TEPCO for Fukushima damage [March 8 & 12, 2013]