Data falsification not issue for all Japan manufacturers: Seko

October 20, 2017

TOKYO- Japanese industry minister Hiroshige Seko indicated Friday that the falsified product quality certification scandals of Kobe Steel Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co. are not an issue for all Japanese manufacturing industry.

Seko said at a press conference that he was very disappointed when the "unusual cases" of Kobe Steel and Nissan came to light.

"I believe that most manufacturing sites in the industry are working hard every day for improvements to create high-quality products," Seko said.

He added that it is vital for the scandal-hit companies to work to ensure similar cases never happen again, after uncovering the causes of the problem.

Separately, Japanese transport minister Keiichi Ishii told a press conference on the same day that the cases of Nissan and Kobe Steel were "extremely regrettable."

He said that the scandals were actions that "shake confidence" in Japanese manufacturing, which has been valued for its high levels of quality, safety and security.

Japanese business leaders have voiced their strong concerns that falsified product quality certification by Kobe Steel Ltd. and Nissan Motor Co. will undermine global trust in made-in-Japan goods.

"I think Kobe Steel has crossed the forbidden line as a manufacturer," Akio Mimura, chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told a press conference. "It's really regrettable," Mimura said.

The former Japanese steel industry leader met the press after European and US authorities launched investigations into the longtime misconduct at Kobe Steel. Jiji Press