Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > May 2021 > Meeting with Groups of Plaintiffs and Their Attorneys in Lawsuits of Asbestos Exposure at Construction Sites and Others
The Prime Minister in Action
Meeting with Groups of Plaintiffs and Their Attorneys in Lawsuits of Asbestos Exposure at Construction Sites and Others
May 18, 2021
Photograph of the Prime Minister holding the meeting (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister holding the meeting (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister holding the meeting (3)
Photograph of the Prime Minister holding the meeting (4)
Photograph of the Prime Minister holding the meeting (5)
[Provisional Translation]
On May 18, 2021, the Prime Minister held a meeting with groups of plaintiffs and their attorneys in lawsuits of asbestos exposure at construction sites and others at the Prime Minister’s Office.
In the opening, the Prime Minister said,
“I express my sincere appreciation to you for taking time out of your extremely busy schedule and coming all the way here.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of Japan finalized the judgment of a loss by the national government in lawsuits of asbestos exposure at construction sites. We take the ruling determining the illegality of the Government seriously. In the meantime, the long-standing burden and suffering people affected by asbestos exposure at construction sites have experienced and the profound sorrow bereaved families have felt for the losses of their loved ones are beyond imagination, and we cannot find the words. As the Prime Minister of Japan, I am keenly aware of my responsibility, and on behalf of the Government, I would like to offer you my heartfelt apology.
In addition, I am aware that the project team of the ruling parties regarding countermeasures against asbestos exposure at construction sites has listened to earnest wishes of affected people themselves and bereaved families, conducted a series of discussions toward the solution of this issue, and compiled measures yesterday.
Based on the ruling of the Supreme Court and the measures formulated by the ruling parties, the Government would like to fully respect your intention and conclude a basic agreement in order to swiftly reach a settlement.
We consider there are people who suffer health problems or who will develop relevant diseases in the future, alongside with those who have filed lawsuits. The Government will work as one with the ruling parties toward the establishment of a system to provide benefits for those people.
Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies for long-standing hardships you have experienced, and we pledge to exert all-out efforts so that we would never allow the situation like this to occur again.”
