Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Tuesday met with — and apologized to — representatives of people who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood products and are now suing the government and drug makers.
"You all must have suffered physically and mentally for a long time," Fukuda said during the meeting with four patients at his official residence. "I would like to take this occasion to apologize (to you) from the bottom of my heart."
The meeting came two days after Fukuda overrode the government's decision and a court proposal to announce that the Liberal Democratic Party, which he heads, and its ruling coalition partner New Komeito would draft legislation to pay uniform compensation to everyone who contracted hepatitis C through the contaminated products.