In the wake of the recent ground-breaking out-of-court settlement with people who contracted hepatitis C from tainted blood products, the government will face a fresh legal battle waged by hepatitis B carriers.

People who are believed to have contracted hepatitis B through mandatory vaccination against infectious diseases, including polio, measles and influenza, plan to file a series of damages lawsuits nationwide against the government.

Spearheading the move, several hepatitis B carriers will file suit Friday with the Sapporo District Court, demanding the state pay each plaintiff from ¥15 million to ¥60 million in compensation and take relief measures to help them treat the disease.