The Japanese government has agreed to compensate a construction worker who was exposed to asbestos, settling a lawsuit that challenged the rejection of his compensation claim.
In a significant legal development, the Japanese government has reversed its decision on compensation payments for asbestos victims in the construction industry, reaching a settlement with an 83-year-old plaintiff who had previously been denied payment. The Osaka District Court confirmed the settlement, where the government acknowledged its negligence in regulating asbestos use and offered a formal apology to the plaintiff, agreeing to pay 10.35 million yen—reflecting the total amount he would have received had his initial claim been accepted.
The lawsuit emerged following a Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that recognized government failure in regulating asbestos, leading to the establishment of a compensation scheme for victims. This settlement is noteworthy as it marks the first resolution for rejected compensation claims under the new regime. The plaintiff had been involved in transporting asbestos materials for construction sites between 1970 and 2001 and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, attributing it to his prolonged exposure to asbestos dust while working.
The plaintiff's rejection in January 2025, despite substantial evidence including witness testimonies and a detailed list of work sites, was based on a brief notification that provided no specific reasons for the denial. This settlement signifies not only a personal victory for the plaintiff but also indicates a shift in government attitudes towards acknowledging past injustices and potentially improving future compensation processes for asbestos-related health issues.
