| 2002.6.29 |
→Japanese A statement of BANJAN on an today's announcement of the Minister of Health,Labour and Welfare Today (28 June), Japan's Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Mr. SAKAGUCHI Chikara, announced that he was considering to introduce a total ban on chrisotile asbestos. We welcome this announcement as turning our long years' demand into reality. BANJAN have been calling for "an immediate total ban on asbestos" since its establishment in 1987, and had a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to call for it again in last month. At that time many asbestos victims and survivors joined us and they spoke out their sufferings and rages directly. More than anything else, a real ban should be put into force as soon as possible. The government shouldn't expand the range of exception from the ban and the period of grace unreasonably, and shouldn't chuck themselves away on considering those matters pointlessly. Especially, regarding construction materials, there is nothing which have no capable substitute. So any asbestos containing construction material shouldn't be exempted from the ban. The health effects due to past asbestos exposure in Japan have become obvious more and more. We estimate more than 2,000 people are killed annually in Japan. An recent study predicts that male pleural malignant mesothelioma mortality in Japan would become 58,800 during next 30 years, and 103,000 during next 40 years. Considering female mortality, death from other mesothelioma, asbestos related lung cancer and others, the real figure of future asbestos deaths in Japan could increase by several times. Moreover this prediction is reflected the past asbestos use in Japan, and so is inevitable reality for us even if a total ban on asbestos would be introduced today. "An immediate total ban on asbestos" has to be the first step. We call for again all relevant ministries tackling, with breaking down of barriers separating ministries under the powerful leadership of the government, - to strengthen/establish proper and comprehensive measures for monitoring real situation, more precise prediction, diagnosis, medical treatment, physical/spiritual care and compensation etc. for asbestos victims and their families etc. and - to strengthen/establish proper and comprehensive measures for identification/monitoring buildings/materials in which asbestos has already installed, control, maintenance, repair, removal, demolition and disposal etc, in the light of preventing workers/public health and environment, 28 June 2002
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