Amagasaki City Asbestos Health Hazard Problem - March 2006 to 2020s

Amagasaki City Asbestos Health Hazard Problem - March 2006 to 2020s

In March 2006, a health hazard problem caused by asbestos was discovered in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, and spread throughout Japan, becoming a major social issue. This was a case in which asbestos products were manufactured at the former Amagasaki Plant, causing serious health problems not only to employees but also to residents in the surrounding area. As a result of the enforcement of the "Asbestos Relief Law" by the Ministry of the Environment and the start of relief for the victims, the number of patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases has reached 1,033 since 2006. This figure includes 820 cases of mesothelioma and 213 cases of lung cancer, and this has served as an opportunity for the seriousness of the health effects of asbestos to be widely recognized by society. In response to this problem, the company that operated the plant decided to pay a total of 3 billion yen in compensation to the victims and their families in Amagasaki City. Since then, asbest
os damage has been reported in other areas of Japan, and the Ministry of the Environment has been expanding relief measures and conducting damage surveys throughout Japan.

Asbestos Damage in the 2020s

However, the asbestos problem has not been resolved in the 2020s: as of June 30, 2024, companies continued to pay compensation to 404 patients with asbestos-related diseases and their families in the vicinity of the former plant. In Amagasaki City, victim support activities also continue, with approximately 190 people attending the "Amagasaki Rally for Relief and Eradication of Asbestos Damage" held on June 29, 2024, and reports indicate that the number of asbestos-related patients in Amagasaki City has reached 422. Nationwide, the annual number of deaths from mesothelioma is approximately 1,500, and the effects of asbestos remain serious.

Corporate Initiatives and Future Prospects

Companies regularly release "Status of Response to the Asbestos Problem," explaining the continuation of remedial measures and future plans. the August 7, 2024 report details the status of remedial payments and measures to prevent recurrence, demonstrating the companies' commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities. The Ministry of the Environment is strengthening its nationwide relief system to respond to the still increasing number of patients with asbestos-related diseases, and is conducting health impact verification and investigations, especially in the vicinity of former asbestos factory sites.

Conclusion.

The problem of asbestos damage in Amagasaki City, which began in 2006, remains unresolved in the 2020s. In Amagasaki City, it is essential for residents, companies, and the government to work together to support victims and prevent recurrence. This issue conveys lessons learned as an environmental crime and points the way to a sustainable society.