Fukuda to seek law to solve hepatitis row
Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said yesterday his ruling coalition would seek new legislation to compensate all the victims of dirty blood products contaminated with hepatitis C.
Fukuda came under fire after a court-mediated settlement package collapsed on Thursday. Victims criticised him for succumbing to pressure from bureaucrats.
"I decided that my party will submit a bill to rescue all the patients of the drug disaster," Fukuda told reporters. "I want the legislation to be made as quickly as possible."
At least 10,000 people are estimated to have contracted the potentially fatal disease after being given fibrinogen, which is used to stop bleeding.
It was widely used in Japanese hospitals until 1988, mostly during surgery or after childbirth, even though the United States had warned of its danger in 1977.
Plaintiffs cautiously welcomed the government's move.
"This is the time when politics has to show its leadership," said Michiko Yamaguchi. "I have a great expectation that the political leadership will bring about justice."
Another plaintiff, Eriko Fukuda, said: "I will carefully watch until the day thorough legislation will be created."
The Osaka High Court has proposed a settlement plan, recognising the responsibility of the state and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp., which produced the coagulant for about three years up to June 1988.
Plaintiffs have rejected any deal setting a cutoff date for when people were infected, demanding the state and the drugmaker compensate all victims alike regardless of when they received the tainted products.
Public anger grew after it emerged that a list of hundreds of victims -- who had not been notified of the risk of illness -- had been gathering dust in a basement for years.
Health Minister Yoichi Masuzoe approved of Fukuda's decision.
"It was very good," he told reporters. "I think patients' hopes will come true."
Fukuda has suffered a sharp fall in his public support due to a string of bribery scandals involving the Defence Ministry and the government's handling of missing pension records, in addition to the tainted blood controversy.
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