TOKYO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) has said that some of the parts produced by Kobe Steel Ltd. used on its Shinkansen bullet train failed to meet the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), local media reported on Saturday.
The railway company said on Friday that some of the aluminum axle boxes used on the Shinkansen bullet train had strength 0.4 percent lower than that designated by JIS, and erosion resistance up to 5 percent lower than that designated by JIS.
1.6 percent of the 2,941 axle boxes purchased from Kobe Steel failed to meet the national standards, said the company.
The problem, however, did not pose a safety hazard, the company added.
JR East said that it intended to replace the unqualified products and expected Kobe Steel to shoulder the cost for replacement.
Negotiations on the cost of replacements are expected to get underway soon, according to the company.
It came to light earlier this month that Kobe Steel had fabricated data on strength and durability of some of its aluminum and copper products.
The company later admitted to also falsifying inspection data on iron powder and multiple other products, with problematic products sold to some 500 companies globally.
The misconduct ensnared a wide range of Japanese manufacturers, dealing a blow to the "Made-in-Japan" brand, with problematic products used in cars, aircraft, Shinkansen bullet trains, and even rockets and defense equipment. Enditem
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