Government appeals against hepatitis ruling

   The government on August 10 appealed to a higher court against the Nagoya District Court decision that held the government responsible for hepatitis C infections through virus-tainted blood products.

Plaintiffs’ group leader Yamaguchi Michiko on the same day issued a statement condemning the government for neglecting the safety of the public and further putting off the settlement of the problem by appealing to a higher court.

After the Nagoya court ruling on July 31, plaintiffs’ groups and their lawyers in similar lawsuits throughout the country requested Health Minister Yanagisawa Hakuo to meet with them. He has refused the request. - Akahata, August 11, 2007