Local News

A 75-year-old Kitakyushu man who stumbled and broke his leg sued the city of Kitakyushu claiming negligence due to a three-centimeter difference in the level of the sidewalk and a manhole cover. He asked for 4.28 million yen in damages. The Kokura branch of the Fukuoka District court upheld part of his claim, awarding him 123,000 yen. Of greater concern to the city, however, is that they are responsible for the height of 165,000 manhole covers throughout the city, and they will now have to examine them all and take preventive measures.