A man in Chiba Prefecture who once worked at a ship building site has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from the government, alleging that he developed lung cancer from inhaling asbestos due to insufficient government measures. Regarding damage caused by asbestos, there is a relief system for people working at construction sites, and the plaintiffs are appealing for the same relief to be extended to workers in the shipbuilding industry.
The person who filed the lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on the 14th is Tatsuya Kosugiyama (71), who has worked at a shipyard in Chiba Prefecture since 1971.
According to the complaint, Mr. Kosugiyama worked at a shipbuilding site for about 20 years, working with insulation materials without instructions on how to wear a mask, etc. After retiring, he developed lung cancer in 2019 and had to be certified as a worker's compensation worker. received.
Mr. Kosugiyama and his legal team are seeking 14.3 million yen in damages from the government, alleging that asbestos was inhaled due to inadequate government measures.
Regarding damage caused by asbestos, three years ago, the Supreme Court handed down a judgment in which the national government was held responsible in a class action lawsuit brought by construction site workers, and as a result, up to 13 million yen in benefits will be provided. Although a system has been established, it does not apply to the shipbuilding industry.
For this reason, lawsuits have been filed in Osaka and Sapporo in which shipbuilding industry workers are suing the government for the same relief as those in the construction industry, and according to Kosugiyama's legal team, this appears to be the first time a lawsuit has been filed in the Kanto region. That's it.
At a press conference held after filing the lawsuit, Kosugiyama said, ``When I was told I had lung cancer, my future became completely dark.I want the government to compensate not only the construction industry but also the shipbuilding industry. I want you to do it," he said.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``As we have not received the complaint, we will refrain from commenting.''