Tokyo — Kobe Steel unleashed an industrial scandal that reverberated across Asia’s second-largest economy after saying its staff falsified data related to strength and durability of some aluminium and copper products used in aircraft, cars and maybe even a space rocket. The company’s stock ended 22% lower in Tokyo as customers including Toyota Motor, Honda Motor and Subaru said they had used materials from Kobe Steel that were subject to falsification. Boeing, which gets some parts from Subaru, said there was nothing to date that raises any safety concerns. Rival aluminium makers gained. Kobe Steel’s admission raises fresh concern about the integrity of Japanese manufacturers. It follows Takata misleading car makers about the safety of its airbags, and Nissan’s car recall last week after regulators discovered unauthorised inspectors had approved vehicle quality. Kobe Steel said on Sunday the products were delivered to more than 200 companies but it did not disclose customer names. T...
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