The government has compiled a bill calling on companies to pay about 8 billion yen per year and local governments to pay about 1 billion yen per year to fund allowances for people suffering asbestos-linked health problems and for the next of kin of those who died from such maladies.

The government plans to submit the bill to the Diet during a regular session next year when a joint task force of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito approves the draft, government sources said.

Companies will be required to pay 8 billion yen from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2010, while local governments will be required to pay 1 billion yen from fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2010, they said.