Reference News Network, December 28 report: According to Japan's Asahi Shimbun, on December 26, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that due to Kawasaki Heavy Industries forging fuel efficiency test data for submarine engines used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the company has been suspended from bidding for two and a half months, from the date of announcement until March 11 next year.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has 25 submarines, all of which use engines produced by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Kawasaki Heavy Industries also produces patrol aircraft and transport aircraft. For a company playing a core role in the defense industry, being suspended from bidding is rare.

According to information released by the Ministry of Defense and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the company falsified data on the fuel efficiency of submarine engines during land-based testing because the actual test results did not meet delivery requirements. This fraud has been ongoing from 1988 to 2021, involving 66 engines, equivalent to the number of engines used in 33 submarines.

The Ministry of Defense admitted that this was a "long-term and systematic fraud," but it did not affect operational actions or safety.

According to the procurement report for the fiscal year 2024 of the Ministry of Defense, the contract amount with Kawasaki Heavy Industries reached 63.83 billion yen (approximately 410 million U.S. dollars), ranking second. If the company is suspended from bidding, it will be unable to participate in bids for the Ministry of Defense's subsequent procurement projects, without affecting the self-defense force's operations. The Ministry of Defense is also considering requiring Kawasaki Heavy Industries to return funds equivalent to the breach amount.

At the same time, Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced on the 26th the final report of a special investigation committee led by an independent lawyer. The report pointed out that, in addition to falsifying submarine data, the company had also exaggerated budgets. It is believed that this practice may have continued for about 40 years.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries President Hashimoto Yasuhiko apologized to the public. He said, "We are deeply sorry for the concerns and inconvenience caused by our repeated violations of regulations, and we sincerely apologize."

Additionally, the Ministry of Defense announced disciplinary actions against 11 members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, as they received gifts from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Kawasaki Heavy Industries previously illegally earned large amounts of money through submarine maintenance projects of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. In July this year, the Ministry of Defense launched a special inspection campaign and imposed different levels of punishment on 93 personnel, including the highest-ranking officials of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

This time, the Ministry of Defense suspended three senior officials' positions due to violations of the "Self-Defense Forces Personnel Ethics Law" and gave salary cuts to eight submarine crew members.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the gifts provided by Kawasaki Heavy Industries included game consoles, branded wallets, fishing gear, and fitness bicycles, which were unrelated to submarine operations, with a total value of approximately 1.16 million yen. One person received a gift with a cash value of up to 400,000 yen.

According to Kyodo News on December 26, the Japanese Ministry of Defense stated on the 26th that it would prohibit Kawasaki Heavy Industries from participating in contract bids for two and a half months, as the company reported that it had fabricated fuel consumption performance data for submarine engines used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for over 30 years.

The Ministry of Defense also stated that in another scandal, 11 members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force were found to have received personal items unrelated to their job responsibilities from this major submarine contractor, and they have been given suspension or salary reduction penalties.

The total value of the involved items was approximately 1.16 million yen, including game consoles, golf bags, and watches. Kawasaki Heavy Industries and its contractors conducted false transactions in ship maintenance deals to illegally raise funds for a "slush fund," and these items were purchased with the funds from this "slush fund."

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has 25 submarines, all equipped with engines manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company previously denied any safety issues.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries stated that between 1988 and 2021, there was falsification of fuel consumption performance data for 66 submarine engines delivered to the Ministry of Defense.

The Tokyo-based company pointed out that during testing, most of the measured fuel consumption performance data failed to meet the specified values, and multiple departments were involved in concealing this issue.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries President Hashimoto Yasuhiko said in a statement, "We take this matter very seriously. We will strive to restore public trust by taking preventive measures."

The company said it is considering disciplinary action against employees involved in this matter. (Translated by Chen Xi, Xu Yanhong)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7588815675229995535/

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