A Yokohama district court has ruled that four manufacturers share responsibility for compensating construction workers and families suffering from mesothelioma and lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. The plaintiffs, including workers from both in and out of the prefecture, had filed a total claim of approximately 685 million yen against 16 construction material companies and the government. The ruling found that these manufacturers had failed to warn workers about the dangers of asbestos, despite being aware of the risks since 1975, thereby holding them liable for the health issues faced by the workers.

The court specifically highlighted that the products from the four manufacturers, which held over 10% of the market share at the time, were likely present at work sites, thus establishing a direct link between their negligence and the resultant health hazards. However, the court dismissed claims from two plaintiffs who argued that the government failed to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities, stating that the government could not have reasonably anticipated the risks associated with non-indoor work environments where the plaintiffs were engaged.

In response to the ruling, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs expressed disappointment regarding the outcome for the two plaintiffs whose claims were rejected. He acknowledged that the judgment was consistent with previous rulings but indicated the ongoing struggle for justice in cases involving asbestos exposure. The plaintiffs' team is currently considering whether to appeal the decision concerning the dismissed claims.