Chubu Electric Contractor Tampers Power Leakage Test Data

October 25, 2018

Nagoya- An association of electrical engineering companies in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, said Wednesday that inspectors belonging to the group have manipulated power leakage survey data for condominiums in the service areas of Chubu Electric Power Co..

Data manipulation may have taken place at a total of around 1,410 condominium and apartment buildings, the group said, noting that all six inspectors were involved in the misconduct.

There are no risks of electric shocks or fires resulting from power leakage at the buildings, it said. The association is continuing its investigation into the malpractice, in cooperation with Chubu Electric.

The data tampering is believed to have started in 2009 or earlier, it said.

The association, based in Nagoya, the capital of the prefecture, conducts routine inspections for possible power leakage and other problems mainly at households on behalf of the power supplier serving the Chubu region including Aichi.

According to the association, power leakage inspection data were falsified for electrical equipment for elevators and other systems at condominiums and apartments.

Even if the inspectors found potential abnormalities, they did not conduct detailed inspections and instead reported normal figures. They also failed to inform customers about the possible flaws.

During the investigation, the six inspectors said that they learned the cheating method from senior colleagues.

A local industrial safety and inspection department of the Japanese industry ministry ordered the association to report the cause of the irregularities and compile preventive measures by the end of November.

As the case may amount to a violation of the electricity business law, there is a possibility of the association being slapped with an administrative penalty, sources familiar with the matter said. Jiji Press