Fukuda offers uniform relief for hepatitis sufferers

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Fukuda offers uniform relief for hepatitis sufferers

12/24/2007

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda pledged Sunday to enact legislation to provide blanket relief measures for people infected with hepatitis C through tainted blood products.

The decision follows the rejection last week by plaintiffs of a government compensation package offered in connection with high-profile lawsuits. Fukuda, whose public approval ratings have plummeted, said ruling coalition lawmakers would submit the bill to the current extraordinary Diet session. His move was seen as a political decision to try to win back public support. The government and pharmaceutical companies have been trying to negotiate a settlement with plaintiffs who filed a string of lawsuits to hold the state and drug companies responsible and win compensation. Fukuda, apparently trying to present an image of decisiveness, saw the support rate for his Cabinet fall to a dismal 31 percent in survey conducted last week by The Asahi Shimbun. When he took over from Shinzo Abe in September, his Cabinet enjoyed a support rate of 53 percent. The administration has come under fire for its failure to accommodate the hepatitis C sufferers and its mishandling of pension records and Defense Ministry scandals, among other matters. "I have decided, as a result of discussion with my ruling party, to ensure that uniform relief is offered for all those infected through tainted blood products," Fukuda said. "We will move swiftly to compile a bill and discuss it in the Diet. We will need the cooperation of the opposition camp." He said his coalition will consult with Minshuto (Democratic Party of Japan) and other opposition parties in an effort to gain their support for the legislation. "We could have Minshuto join us in compiling the bill, depending on the circumstances," Fukuda said. As for the state's responsibility, he said, "That will have to be made clear in the legislating process. "It is important to give consideration to the feelings of the people who have suffered. How to deal with the responsibility issue will be up to those compiling the legislation." Last Thursday, the government proposed a settlement package that included compensation ranging from 13.2 million yen to 44 million yen per individual, depending on their symptoms and over certain periods. The offer was based on a Tokyo District Court decision in March that acknowledged the responsibility of the government and the companies for the infections during specified periods. The package included a fund for people with hepatitis contamination who will not be eligible for the compensation. The government proposed that it and the drug makers pay a total of 3 billion yen toward the fund, up from around 800 million yen proposed by the Osaka High Court in its mediation on Dec. 13. However, the plaintiffs complained that the package limits the scope of individuals eligible for compensation. A nationwide group of plaintiffs fighting lawsuits across the country issued a statement calling Fukuda's announcement "a big step forward." Michiko Yamaguchi, 51, of Fukuoka who heads the group, said, "I expect justice to be done with the power of politics." But she added, "I am worried if things will really work out because we have been swayed by politics so many times before." Naoto Kan, acting president of Minshuto, gave high marks to Fukuda's decision but stressed that the government's responsibility should be made clear so as to prevent a recurrence of the health crisis.(IHT/Asahi: December 24,2007)

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200712240046.html