The number of deaths from asbestos-related illnesses across Japan continues to rise, according to a survey in the Mainichi Shimbun Daily News.
As of 9 July 2005, 358 workers at 38 workplaces of 23 co…
The number of deaths from asbestos-related illnesses across Japan continues to rise, according to a survey in the Mainichi Shimbun Daily News. As of 9 July 2005, 358 workers at 38 workplaces of 23 companies had died of diseases allegedly caused by the inhalation of asbestos, it was reported. Another 65 were being treated for such illnesses. From 1 to 8 July 2005, the Mainichi Shimbun surveyed 73 companies across Japan, 65 of which responded. The companies reporting the highest number of deaths suspected of being caused by asbestos were Nichias Corp., a Tokyo-based fireproof materials manufacturer with 141 fatalities, Osaka-based Kubota Corp. (79 deaths), Misawa Resort (24), A and A Material Corp. (23) and Tatsuta Kogyo Co. (21). A worker at the now defunct Funabashi factory of Asahi Glass Co. died of mesothelium tumor, a case recognized as a work-related accident, the report said. The plant has never made any product containing asbestos, but such toxic materials were used in insulators for electric wires and in workers“ gloves, Mainichi Shimbun reported.