Kawasaki Heavy train fault evokes earlier scandal

Heavy machinery maker must move fast to regain customers' trust

20180302_kawasaki juko bullet train

A 14cm crack was discovered in the undercarriage of a West Japan Railway bullet train.

TAKESHI KIKUCHI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Kawasaki Heavy Industries is under pressure following the announcement of production faults in components for Japan's shinkansen bullet trains. The Japanese company this week admitted supplying substandard undercarriages to West Japan Railway, after a cracking frame was discovered in December.

The scandal has emerged amid a series of product-quality problems at Japanese companies, but it also reminded investors of another scandal that hit the leading Japanese heavy machinery maker five years ago.

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