October 20th, 2005

Japanese officials have released a draft bill outlining laws that will ensure that victims of asbestos related disease are compensated. The government released the draft bill on Thursday, following recent controversy over the numbers of victims that have been affected by asbestos related illness and death in the country.

The draft bill outlined the type of people that would be eligible for compensation, such as those that have worked at asbestos plants, the families of those that have died from asbestos related disease, and residents living near to such plants that have been affected by ill health through asbestos exposure. The government plans to submit the proposed law to parliament next year.

The recent controversy in Japan came after figures were released detailing the numbers of people that have been affected or have died from exposure to asbestos in Japan. A range of cabinet ministers were involved in drafting the bill, and they have also proposed a relief fund to pay for costs such as medical expenses and funerals.

According to information from the Japanese Environment Ministry, there are still over forty factories across Japan that are manufacturing asbestos products. Japanese law permits the use of asbestos in the event that there is no alternative available.