Woman files first lawsuit against Kanebo over skin-care blotches
September 19, 2013
By RYUJIRO KOMATSU/ Staff Writer
A woman who developed white skin blotches after using a Kanebo Cosmetics Inc. product is suing the company for 48 million yen ($480,000) as compensation for damages.
The 41-year-old Tokyo resident filed the suit with the Tokyo District Court on Sept. 18. According to her lawyer, it is the first such lawsuit against the cosmetics giant since the problem over skin-care products came to public attention.
The woman first started using a Kanebo skin-whitening cosmetic containing Rhododenol, a brightening agent developed by Kanebo, in July 2011.
Around September that year, she developed itching on her skin and other symptoms. White blotches soon appeared on her face and neck. White blemishes still remain on her skin, the lawyer added.
According to Kanebo, 9,959 people developed white blotches after using its products as of Sept. 1. It issued a recall of its skin-care products in July.
“Because we have yet to receive the complaint, we decline to comment,” a Kanebo representative told The Asahi Shimbun after a request for an interview regarding the lawsuit.
