Japanese Quality Takes a Hit with 6 Recent Recalls

Posted by Bill Belew on August 16th, 2007 in Japan | Comments Off

Though it is hard to beat Japanese quality, recent recalls by in Japan have left some to begin to wonder…to wonder if Japan is having trouble maintaining quality, then what about other manufacturers?

1. Nokia is recalling 46 million batteries made by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co.

2. Sony Corp. recalled 9.6 million batteries used in personal computers last year.

3. Sanyo Electric Co. replaced 1.3 million battery packs used in mobile phones last December.

4. Earlier this year, Matsushita also recalled 3.05 million microwaves, refrigerators and clothes dryer because of possible fire risks.japanese.quality.jpg

5. Sanyo Electric recalled 160,000 washer-dryers in January of this year AND in 2004.

6. In March of this year, Sharp Corp. recalled about 500,000 washing machines. 

Japan has dominated the lithium-ion battery maker (Sanyo Electric -26%, Sony 14%, Matsushita – 10%) but serious competition can be expected from Samsung SDI (11%) and Chinese and Taiwanese makers IF Japan doesn't get its quality standards back…and get them back soon.

Is Japan's quality standards falling? 

 


 

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