World · East Asia & Pacific · 3 hrs ago
Ryoshin Takagi, last surviving plaintiff in itai-itai lawsuit, dies at 96
Ryoshin Takagi, the last surviving plaintiff in a landmark itai-itai disease lawsuit, has died at 96.
His family said he died Sunday at a hospital in Toyama, Japan, from malignant pleural mesothelioma.
The disease at the center of the lawsuit was caused by cadmium poisoning, one of several pollution illnesses that emerged during Japan’s postwar economic growth.
Takagi lost both his grandmother and his mother to itai-itai disease.
He helped organize victims and took part in a successful case against the company then known as Mitsui Mining & Smelting.
He also worked to preserve and pass on the victims’ stories.
Ryoshin Takagi, the last surviving plaintiff in the landmark itai-itai disease lawsuit, has died at 96.
His family said he died at a hospital in Toyama at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday from malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Takagi lost his grandmother and mother to itai-itai disease, which was caused by cadmium poisoning.
He helped form a victims’ group, served as its first vice chairman and took part in the successful lawsuit against Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.
He also worked to preserve and pass on the victims’ stories.
- Who
- Ryoshin Takagi, the last surviving plaintiff in the itai-itai disease lawsuit.
- What
- He died at 96.
- When
- Sunday at 5:15 p.m. His family announced his death on Tuesday.
- Where
- At a hospital in Toyama, Japan.
- Why
- He died from malignant pleural mesothelioma.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Takagi died at a hospital in Toyama from malignant pleural mesothelioma.
His family announced his death.
- Age
- 96
- Death time
- 5:15 p.m. on Sunday
- Death place
- Toyama, Japan
- Cause of death
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma
- Lawsuit defendant
- Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.