6 cancer patients sue utility over Fukushima radiation

Six people who were children living in Fukushima at the time of the 2011 nuclear disaster and have since developed thyroid cancer filed a lawsuit on Thursday demanding a utility pay compensation for their illnesses, which they say were triggered by massive radiation spewed from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The people, now aged 17-27 and living in and outside of Fukushima, demand the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings pay a total of 616 million yen ($5.4 million) in compensation.

One of the plaintiffs, identified only as a woman in her 20s, said she has had to prioritise her health over her career and has seen prejudice against thyroid cancer patients.