32 women file damages suit over Kanebo's skin-whitening cosmetics

32 women file damages suit over Kanebo's skin-whitening cosmetics

KYOTO, Japan - A woman (front) in her 50s holds a press conference in Kyoto on Dec. 1, 2014, after filing a damages suit against Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. with the Kyoto District Court. She is among 32 women in Japan who filed suits with district courts in Chiba, Nagoya and Kyoto the same day, seeking about 310 million yen in damages from Kanebo, saying their skin developed white blotches after using the company's skin-whitening products.

Suit against Kanebo

Suit against Kanebo

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Plaintiffs (front, back to camera), and their lawyers hold a press conference in the city of Shizuoka, central Japan, on April 2, 2014. Fourteen people, whose skin broke out in white blotches after using Kanebo Cosmetics Inc.'s skin-whitening products filed a suit that day, seeking damages of 5 million yen each for psychological suffering caused by the company's products.

Lawyers accuse Kanebo of slow action over blotches

Lawyers accuse Kanebo of slow action over blotches

TOKYO, Japan - Hideki Nakagome, one of the two lawyers appointed by Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., presents an investigative report at a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 11, 2013. The lawyers criticized the company for acting too slowly in responding to complaints from consumers suffering from skin blotches after using skin-whitening cosmetics manufactured by the company and affiliates.

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

TOKYO, Japan - Masumi Natsusaka, president of Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., bows in a gesture of apology during a news conference in Tokyo on July 23, 2013. The company said that 2,250 users of its skin-whitening cosmetics have reported developing serious symptoms such as white blotches on their skin since it began a recall of 54 products on July 4.

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

TOKYO, Japan - Masumi Natsusaka, president of Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., holds a news conference in Tokyo on July 23, 2013. The company said that 2,250 users of its skin-whitening cosmetics have reported developing serious symptoms such as white blotches on their skin since it began a recall of 54 products on July 4.

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

Kanebo skin-whitening product users report serious symptoms

TOKYO, Japan - Masumi Natsusaka, president of Kanebo Cosmetics Inc., speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on July 23, 2013. The company said that 2,250 users of its skin-whitening cosmetics have reported developing serious symptoms such as white blotches on their skin since it began a recall of 54 products on July 4.

32 women file damages suit over Kanebo's skin-whitening cosmetics

32 women file damages suit over Kanebo's skin-whitening cosmetics

KYOTO, Japan - A woman (front) in her 50s holds a press conference in Kyoto on Dec. 1, 2014, after filing a damages suit against Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. with the Kyoto District Court. She is among 32 women in Japan who filed suits with district courts in Chiba, Nagoya and Kyoto the same day, seeking about 310 million yen in damages from Kanebo, saying their skin developed white blotches after using the company's skin-whitening products. (Kyodo)