170 Die Waiting for Asbestos Payments

September 21, 2006 - A recent survey completed in Japan states that at least 170 people have died while waiting for a decision on whether they qualify for benefits for asbestos-related diseases in the six months since the Japanese government passed a new compensation law.

The survey, conducted by the government-affiliated Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency (ERCA), also showed that only 242, or 20.9 percent, of the 1,160 applicants were given official approval for medical expenses and other benefits as of September 12th, reports the newspaper Asahi Shimbun.

The law, which was enacted in February 2006, states that the government will offer payment for medical expenses and other benefits for those who are suffering from mesothelioma.  Applications began rolling in shortly after the announcement, with more than 1,000 claimants filing for benefits.

Of those seeking benefits, it was determined that 764 had indeed developed mesothelioma, another 343 had lung cancer, and 53 cases remained undetermined.  The number of dead people - almost 15% of the applicants - is based on the requests made by their families to officially recognize them as having suffered from asbestos-related diseases. 

The government is being criticized for its inability to adhere to the mission of the new asbestos law, which was to “rescue asbestos victims as quickly as possible.”.