#Japan #Tokyo #Quality Control #Safety Confirmation #Fujikura Group

Introduction to the Final Report

Fujikura Group has released a final report addressing the previous quality control issues related to its products, as reported on August 31, 2018, and April 25, 2019. The company sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience and concern caused to customers and all stakeholders due to these incidents.

In light of the investigation conducted by an external law firm, Fujikura Group meticulously analyzed the 152 identified cases that involved 99 of its customers. Based on this analysis, the group has implemented various measures aimed at preventing similar issues from recurring. Throughout this process, ongoing communication with affected customers concerning the safety of the relevant products has been maintained.

Measures Taken to Prevent Recurrence

According to the corrective measures announced on April 25, 2019, Fujikura Group undertook significant reform initiatives focusing on governance, proper assessment of manufacturing and inspection capabilities, and reinforcing quality compliance awareness among employees. As a result of these initiatives, the group believes it has reached the expected levels of improvement.

Since the investigation began, regular quality checks have been established as integral to operations, guided by the protocols set forth by the external law firm. For any issues identified during these checks, consultations with external legal experts have been sought to ensure effective resolution, thereby embedding these problem-identification and response protocols into the operational framework of the organization. More detailed updates regarding the progress of these preventive measures can be found in the appendix under “Key Announcements Regarding This Incident.”

Progress in Safety Assurance

Among the 99 customers affected by these quality concerns, efforts to confirm product safety have been ongoing. By July 2020, safety confirmations were pending for 18 customers. However, safety checks for 17 of these customers were successfully finalized. Challenges arose in confirming safety for the remaining customer due to difficulties in identifying usage locations, but a preliminary opinion suggested that no immediate issues were evident in the performance, integrity, and safety of the products.

The current status indicates that the task of confirming product safety is now complete. For a detailed breakdown of the progress made in safety confirmations, please refer to the accompanying table and again, to the appendix for “Key Announcements Regarding This Incident.”

New Findings and Future Commitments

While continuing the inspection and confirmation activities based on external guidelines, Fujikura Group identified five new cases of quality inadequacies, separate from the 152 incidents mentioned earlier. All customers affected by these findings have been notified, and discussions regarding the safety and functionality of these products have been established.

Looking ahead, Fujikura Group is committed to ensuring that no similar quality deficiencies arise in the future. Continuing its initiatives on governance reform, accurate assessment of manufacturing processes, customer specification validations, enhanced quality compliance awareness, and fostering a positive organizational culture are priorities going forward. The introduction of automated systems aiming to minimize the risk of human error within inspection processes will be intensified to regain and elevate the trust from customers and related stakeholders.

Fujikura Group appreciates the ongoing understanding and support of all stakeholders and remains dedicated to maintaining high-quality standards in its products and services.