Japanese gov't sued over climate inaction

Hundreds of people across Japan sued the central government Thursday, seeking damages for “unconstitutional” inaction on climate change in the country’s first such litigation.

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The landmark lawsuit criticises Japan’s “grossly inadequate” fight against the climate crisis, saying it jeopardises the health and livelihoods of the approximately 450 plaintiffs.

“We just submitted our complaint and evidence to the court and our lawsuit has been officially accepted,” lead lawyer Akihiro Shima told AFP.

Plaintiff Kiichi Akiyama, a construction worker, said that relentless heat forced his team to work slower, causing “huge losses” to his business.

There have also been cases where “people collapse out in the field, or have dropped dead after they return home”, the 57-year-old said.

In the past, five climate-related lawsuits have been filed with Japanese courts, including against coal-fired power plants, said Kyoto University assistant professor Masako Ichihara.

But Ichihara -- as well as lawyers working on the suit -- say this is the first compensation claim against the state over climate change.