The government agreed Sept. 29 on the outline of a special bill to help asbestos victims, but officials admit the legislation provides no lump sum compensation.
Political sources said that behind the scenes, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, its coalition partner New Komeito, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the Environment Ministry and industries involved in asbestos use are engaged in a tug of war over shouldering the cost of compensating sufferers and the relatives of those who died from exposure.
The intended recipients of the redress are reportedly holding out little hope of getting a large settlement.