DATA FABRICATION ALSO IN IRON POWDER GOODS: KOBE STEEL

TOKYO: Kobe Steel Ltd on Wednesday confirmed a media report that there may have been data fabrication in iron powder products. The Yomiuri newspaper reported Japan’s third-biggest steelmaker may have fabricated data on iron powder products used typically in components such as automotive gears. The company is currently investigating the issue, a spokesman said. The revelation follows a disclosure over the weekend that the company had fabricated data to falsely show that its aluminum and copper products had met customer specifications. Kobe Steel shares slumped another 17% on Wednesday, following a 22% fall the previous day.