Japan PM to apologize to hepatitis B patients

StephenW

Japan PM  to apologize to hepatitis B patients

                                                                                                 

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                                           Prime Minister of Japan Naoto Kan will meet and apologize to hepatitis B sufferers as those involved in damages suits are set to sign a basic agreement with the government on compensation as per government sources .
                                          The apologies will concern the spread of infections through repeated use of needles in group vaccinations, which occurred due to a lack of proper supervision by the state, according to the sources.
     
Apologies from the prime minister have effectively been a condition for the sufferers to agree to a court-mediated settlement over the issue.
     
During the meeting, possibly on June 29, Kan is expected to acknowledge the state's responsibility in the infections and convey apologies to the sufferers.
     
He may also refer to the government's efforts to look into the matter and try to ensure there is no repeat of the tragedy, the sources said.
     
Details of the basic agreement are likely to be worked out between the plaintiffs and the government on Friday, including whether the agreement should address permanent medical treatment for sufferers and the establishment of a consultative body with the government, in line with the plaintiffs' demand.