Local government officials make an on-site inspection of the Nichias Corp. plant in Hashima, Gifu Prefecture, on July 8.

The death toll from diseases linked to asbestos inhalation rose July 12 to at least 392 at 29 companies.

Use of asbestos is banned in principle, except in cases where there are no substitutes. Asbestos is therefore still used to make gaskets for machinery, insulating plates for switchboards, seals for chemical plants and industrial rope.

The government's sudden interest in asbestos has been sparked by recent announcements from Kubota Corp., Nichias Corp. and other companies where former workers who handled the substance have died from related diseases.

Revelations also surfaced about spouses of people working with asbestos and residents living near plants involved in asbestos also being victims.

A total of 141 Nichias employees have reportedly died of lung cancer, mesothelioma or pneumoconiosis believed to be caused by asbestos.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 16, 2005
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