Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2008, publiée 98ème session CIT (2009)

Convention (n° 162) sur l'amiante, 1986 - Japon (Ratification: 2005)

Article 1 of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee notes the very detailed first report submitted by the Government including information regarding the effect given to the Convention in relation to seafarers and miners. The Committee is aware that Japan has introduced a ban on the production and use of products containing asbestos in 2006. Against this background, the Committee requests the Government to clarify whether and to what extent the seafarers and miners are engaged in any form of activities which would render the Convention relevant as far as these categories of workers are concerned. The Committee would also appreciate it if the Government would transmit relevant legislation regarding the ban introduced in 2006 and how it is applied in practice.

Article 14. Labelling of containers and packages of products containing asbestos. To the extent that this requirement might still be relevant in the country, the Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the effect given to the requirement for producers and suppliers to label containers and packages of products containing asbestos.

Article 15, paragraph 2. Periodical review of the exposure limits or other exposure criteria. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the effect given to the requirement periodically to review the exposure limits and other exposure criteria in the light of technological progress and advances in technological and scientific knowledge.

Article 15, paragraph 3. The Committee notes that, in the context of the application of this provision, the Government refers to provisions requiring that periodical inspections be carried out in places where dust is generated. The Committee requests the Government to clarify whether the dust referred to in the provisions at issue is dust containing asbestos.

Part V of the report form. The Committee notes the information provided and references made by the Government in its report to periodical inspections carried out in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide statistical data over longer periods of time to enable an appreciation of the trends, and to supply copies of any inspection reports referred to.