Aluminum, copper inspection data falsified at Kobe Steel

October 8, 2017

TOKYO- Kobe Steel Ltd. said Sunday that certificates of inspection for some of its aluminum and copper products have been falsified, leading to shipments of products that did not conform with specifications agreed with client companies.

A total of more than 20,000 tons of such nonconforming metals, including for use for transport machinery, electronics, cans for beverages and many other products, were shipped to some 200 firms during the year from September 2016, the major Japanese steelmaker said.

Of the total amount, aluminum products accounted for 19,300 tons and copper products 2,200 tons, according the firm. In addition, 19,400 items of nonconforming aluminum cast products were shipped, it said.

Kobe Steel has started to contact affected client companies to explain the situation.

The steelmaker's probe has so far found no specific problem that could raise doubts about the safety of the metal products in question, it said.

Kobe Steel has set up a committee headed by its president and chairman, Hiroya Kawasaki, for the investigation of the matter. The company also asked a law firm to carry out a probe. Jiji Press