Japanese Asbestos Plaintiff Dies
A Japanese man who accused both the Japanese government and U.S. Navy of failing to protect Yokosuka Naval Base workers from asbestos exposure died just 10 days after filing a lawsuit which alleges that his disease was caused by his employment at the base.
According to an article in the Stars and Stripes newspaper, a publication of the U.S. military, Hitoshi Taima, age 51, died on May 19th from complications due to malignant pleural mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of cancer for which the only known cause is exposure to asbestos.
Lawyers for the Taima family said in a statement that Mr. Taima was exposed to asbestos particles between 1977 and 1995, during which time he repaired refrigerators and air conditioners for U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command at Yokosuka.
Taima still worked at the base up until last year, the article points out, and was the subject of a recently averted strike concerning his medical leave. The effort to stage a work stoppage was headed by Zenchuro Yokosuka, a local group of about 4,000 base workers.
The lawyers note that the family will continue to pursue the suit, alleging that the U.S. Navy and the Japanese government failed to provide proper protective equipment to those working with the hazardous material. The lawsuit seeks 86.5 million yen (about $733,000) in compensation.
