Yoshinori Minamino, son of Hajimu Minamino

Hajimu Minamino, 66, of Habikino, Osaka Prefecture, had been seeking ¥52.5 million in compensation from the government. The government had appealed the March 15, 2002, ruling by the Osaka District Court, arguing that the circumstances justified the announcements.

Presiding Judge Akitaka Nakata said the announcements by the health minister and other officials at the time were "illegal, as they gave the impression that the radish sprouts were the precise cause of the incident, even though there was not enough scientific evidence."

In July 1996, more than 9,000 people in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, contracted food poisoning. Most were elementary school students, three of whom died.

The Health and Welfare Ministry announced in September of that year that "kaiware daikon," white radish sprouts, shipped from "specific facilities" were the most likely cause of the food poisoning.

Although the ministry did not name the source, Minamino's farm was identified through media reports and his sales dropped sharply.

Minamino had claimed that no 0-157 bacteria were detected in his farm's facilities or wells and that studies by the government and related organizations were not scientific.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 28, 2004
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