Kobe Steel President and CEO Hiroya Kawasaki reacts as he listens a questions during a press conference in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Steel maker Kobe Steel apologized Thursday after finding wider problems, dating back to 2011, with faked inspections data for metals used in many products, including cars, bullet trains, aircraft and appliances.(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) - Japanese steel maker Kobe Steel has disclosed nine new cases of falsified information about products and materials it sold for use in cars, aircraft and a slew of other products.
The cases announced by the company Friday, which include steel rods used in autos, among many other products made both in Japan and oversease. They bring the total number of customers affected by such problems to more than 500.
Kobe Steel's president, Hiroya Kawasaki, said he did not expect product recalls because of the faked inspections data. He said the company was focusing on pinpointing the cause of the problem, how to fix it and on confirming the safety of the products affected.
Other materials affected include steel powder, aluminum flat-rolled products and castings, copper strips and tubes and forgings.
Kobe Steel President and CEO Hiroya Kawasaki bows during a press conference in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Steel maker Kobe Steel apologized Thursday after finding wider problems, dating back to 2011, with faked inspections data for metals used in many products, including cars, bullet trains, aircraft and appliances. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press
Kobe Steel President and CEO Hiroya Kawasaki speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. Steel maker Kobe Steel apologized Thursday after finding wider problems, dating back to 2011, with faked inspections data for metals used in many products, including cars, bullet trains, aircraft and appliances. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
The Associated Press