Japan's Asbestos Avoidance

This BusinessWeek article was published in Sept. 2005, but it contains useful information concerning asbestos use in Japan and the lack of government credibility concerning the issue at that time.

Ever since asbestos was identified as a carcinogen almost 30 years ago, governments across the developed world have grappled with the ugly aftereffects of this naturally occurring building and fireproofing material. Several large American manufacturers have been bankrupted by hefty asbestos liability claims, and the U.S. Congress is considering a $140 billion fund to pay judgments. Not so in Japan, where little was heard for decades about asbestos health concerns. That changed two months ago with the surprise disclosure by equipment maker Kubota Corp. (KUB ) that 79 of its employees had died from asbestos-related illnesses, setting off a parade of other companies coming clean with their own lists of asbestos fatalities.

Read the full BusinessWeek article for more information.