In 1973, following the ruling that was passed on the Yokkaichi Air Pollution Lawsuit, the Japanese government passed the Pollution-related Health Damage Compensation Law* based on the Polluter-Pays Principle.
A section of Yokkaichi City and the entire Kusucho were designated Type 1 areas and pollution victims in this area made eligible to receiveadditional compensation.
The law was revised in 1987, by which time air quality had improved considerably nationwide. Under the revised law that came into effect the following year, the Type 1 area designation was abolished and no new pollution victim claims were accepted.
* After amendment: Law concerning Compensation and Prevention of Pollution-related Health Damage