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The falsified data scandal engulfing Japan’s Kobe Steel Ltd seems to be widening after another victim came forward. The country’s iconic bullet train operator said parts bought from the steelmaker failed to meet Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), local media reported on Saturday.
East Japan Railway Co (JR East) has said that some of the aluminum axle boxes used on the Shinkansen bullet train had strength 0.4 percent lower than that designated by JIS, and erosion resistance up to 5 percent lower than that designated by JIS.
According to the company, 1.6 percent of the 2,941 axle boxes purchased from Kobe Steel failed to meet the national standards.
The problem, however, did not pose a safety hazard, the company added.
JR East said that it intended to replace the substandard products and expected Kobe Steel to shoulder the replacement cost.
Negotiations on the cost of replacements are expected to get underway soon, according to the company.
Earlier this month, reports emerged about Kobe Steel fabricating data on strength and durability of some of its aluminum and copper products.
The company later admitted to also falsifying inspection data on iron powder and multiple other products, with problematic products sold to some 500 companies globally.
The misconduct ensnared a wide range of Japanese manufacturers, dealing a blow to the "Made in Japan" brand, with problematic products used in cars, aircraft, Shinkansen bullet trains, and even rockets and defense equipment.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
