TOKYO, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Kobe Steel Ltd. said on Friday that an internal probe had revealed that pressure to meet delivery deadlines was in part behind the firm using falsified inspection data that has affected manufacturers worldwide.
According to an internal report released by the embattled steelmaker following the probe, the heavy pressure for factory floor staff to meet deadlines and production targets was reported as being partly responsible for the firm's widespread data scandal.
Kobe Steel CEO Hiroya Kawasaki said Friday that the company also had a closed door policy and intimated that delivery and production dates were overly prioritized by management staff.
"I deeply apologize to our customers, clients and shareholders for causing so much trouble," Kawasaki told a press briefing on the matter in Tokyo.
Earlier in the day, Kawasaki had to report to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry here the company's findings for the cause of its scandal, with an industry insider quoted as saying the firm's extended lack of profitability had added pressure on staff to hit targets.
