Osaka District Court Dismisses Morinaga Arsenic Milk Poisoning Lawsuit by 70-Year-Old Cerebral Palsy Victim; Plaintiff Plans Appeal

The Osaka District Court has dismissed a damages lawsuit filed by a 70-year-old woman who suffers from cerebral palsy, caused by arsenic poisoning from consuming contaminated powdered milk produced by Morinaga Milk Industry in the 1950s. The woman, who has endured lifelong pain and disability, sought compensation for the harm caused by the arsenic-tainted formula, but the court rejected her claim on the grounds of statute of limitations. Despite the ruling, the plaintiff's side has expressed intentions to appeal the decision. This case is part of the broader Morinaga arsenic milk poisoning incident, a long-standing public health and legal issue in Japan. Separately, the mayor of Toyohashi City has filed a lawsuit seeking the cancellation of a city council resolution related to an arena ordinance, and the Supreme Court has upheld a defamation ruling against former Akitakata City Mayor Shinji Ishimaru concerning posts about city council members.