TOKYO, July 5 (UPI) -- Japanese materials manufacturer Nichias Corp. has revealed that 86 employees have died of asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer, since 1976.
In 29 years up to 2004, 61 employees died of illnesses related to asbestos at the company's four plants and 25 others lost their lives due to inhaling asbestos at construction sites, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Tuesday.
"We have already paid compensation for the deaths of 61 people," a Nichias spokesman said.
Officials added that 55 others had died from lung illnesses, although their conditions were not confirmed as being related to asbestos inhalation.
Earlier in June, major machinery manufacturer Kubota Corp. in Osaka said that 79 people, mostly those who worked at the company's plants, had died from asbestos-related diseases such as cancer since 1978.
The Japan Asbestos Association has told member companies to compile and submit reports on health problems suffered by their employees and local residents living near their plants.
