OSAKA -- The government filed a request Friday with the Osaka High Court, in an effort to reopen an appeal which resulted in a lower court ruling that the state and a highway operator pay compensation to residents of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, for air polluted by vehicle exhaust emissions.

The move came in response to the high court's decision Sept. 21 to conclude deliberations in the appeal after just one session, indicating it upholds the lower court's view.

In January, the Kobe District Court ordered the defendants -- the state and Hanshin Expressway Public Corp. -- to pay 210 million yen to 50 plaintiffs and carry out measures to reduce vehicle exhaust emissions.