14 People Sue Kanebo Cosmetics over Skin Problems

Shizuoka, April 2 (Jiji Press)--A group of 14 people in Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, both central Japan, on Wednesday sued Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. for damages worth 70 million yen in total for skin problems caused by products of the company. This is the first group lawsuit filed against Kanebo over the skin problems, known as white blotches, that came to light last year, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs. In the suit filed with Shizuoka District Court, the 14 men and women, in their 30s to 70s, sought 5 million yen per person under the product liability law, to cover costs for medical treatment and other damage caused by the skin problems. They suffered white blotches on their faces or other parts of their bodies after starting to use lotion or other Kanebo products containing Rhododenol, a skin-brightening ingredient developed by the company, from around April 2011. The plaintiffs said that the products were defective, claiming that Kanebo failed to take measures to ensure their safety. Noting that the 14 people actually suffered damage totaling 600 million yen, the lawyers said that the plaintiffs may consider raising the amount of compensation sought in the suit depending on the course of the litigation. END