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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Air pollution victims call for Toyota to be responsible

On June 8, air pollution victims and their family members held a sit-in demonstration in front of Toyota Motor's headquarters in Tokyo as part of the 31st annual mass action calling for a pollution-free country and relief for pollution victims.

About 600 protestors, including plaintiffs of air-pollution lawsuits in Tokyo and Osaka, were holding a banner that read, "Establish a relief system for victims on automakers' responsibility."

Wearing oxygen tubes, Hatsuyama Shoichi, a 56-year-old plaintiff in the Tokyo lawsuit, said, "104 out of 633 plaintiffs have already died. I will never forgive the automakers for increasing air pollution with car emissions."

Plaintiffs of the Tokyo lawsuit that is scheduled to be concluded in September are seeking the responsibility of the national and Tokyo governments as well as the automakers.
- Akahata, June 8, 2006