Activists sue govt over 'unlawful climate inaction'

Hundreds of people across Japan filed a lawsuit against the central government yesterday, seeking damages over what they described as “unconstitutional” inaction on climate change, in the country’s first such litigation.

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(AFP)

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

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

One plaintiff, construction worker Kiichi Akiyama, said relentless heat has forced his team to slow down work, causing “huge losses” to his business.