Expanded Kawasaki Heavy's Engine Data Alteration Controversy
Kawasaki Heavy Industries Suspected of Falsifying Data for Japanese Submarine Diesel Engines
In a troubling development, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. has been accused of falsifying some inspection data regarding the mileage of diesel engines for submarines of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF). The company reported this suspected case to the Defense Ministry on Aug. 7, 2022.
The allegations follow a similar scandal involving private ship engines, raising concerns about the integrity of Kawasaki Heavy's testing processes. The falsified data for the submarine diesel engines is suspected to be linked to test runs conducted after engine assembly for the submarines.
The test runs were initially conducted to meet specifications and numerical values required by the ministry. However, the recent findings cast a shadow over the accuracy of these tests. The company, for its part, maintains that there is no impact on the operations or safety of the submarines at this point, but they have not yet confirmed if the falsified data affected the operations or safety of the submarines.
In response to these allegations, the Defense Ministry conducted an on-site inspection at Kawasaki Heavy's plant in Kobe. This is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny; in August last year, the transport ministry conducted a similar inspection at the same plant.
No new information has been provided about any further investigations or actions taken by the authorities. Similarly, no new information has been provided about any potential impact on the submarines' operations or safety.
It is important to note that all 25 submarines owned by the MSDF were made by Kawasaki Heavy. The company's reputation and the safety of the submarines are at stake in this ongoing investigation. As more information becomes available, the public and the authorities will be closely monitoring the situation.
