OSAKA -- The Osaka High Court on Thursday concluded deliberations on an appeal by the state and an expressway operator over a lower court ruling that residents of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, be compensated for air pollution.

The court's decision to conclude the appealed case after the first session indicated that it is likely to uphold the landmark ruling by the Kobe District Court in January that ordered the defendants to pay 210 million yen to 50 plaintiffs, as well as reduce vehicle exhaust emissions.

In concluding the case, the high court once again called on the government and the Hanshin Expressway Public Corp. to enter a court-mediated settlement.