A lawsuit was filed May 16 by 178 people demanding ¥6.6 billion in damages from the state and construction materials manufacturers for damages stemming from exposure to asbestos.

The lawsuit, filed with the Tokyo District Court, marked the first collective suit construction workers and the next of kin of deceased workers have lodged in a series of asbestos-related litigation, according to lawyers.

"We seek complete relief for the victims by clarifying the liability of the state and the manufacturers," the lawyers said in a statement.

Accused in the suit are major manufacturers that mass-produced asbestos-containing construction materials for years, including Tokyo-based Nichias Corp.