Quality risks arising from the globalization of outsourcing and the hollowing-out of technical skills
First written in FY2016. 4 of 11 entries say "Materialised", first in FY2019. Latest entry: FY2026.
No other company in this theme has enough history to compare yet.
- FY2026MitigatedAnnual report
「Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. and its parent company, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing Co., Ltd., had held repeated negotiations with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to comprehensively resolve outstanding contractual matters concerning the 7000-series railcars, and have now reached an agreement.」
The company disclosed that a comprehensive agreement had been reached with WMATA concerning outstanding contractual matters related to the Washington Metro 7000-series derailment. - FY2026-H1RestatedAnnual report
「The final report of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that the Group had no contractual performance deficiencies and that WMATA could have taken more appropriate action if it had analysed the progression of the widening wheel spacing that had occurred before this derailment. Although the report also found that the Group had no contractual performance deficiencies, WMATA has requested that the Group replace the wheels and axles of the 7000-series railcars at the Group's expense. The Group has responded, in accordance with the contract, that it is not required to bear the cost for WMATA.」
The company has repeated the previous disclosure, with the same content, concerning the NTSB's final report on the Washington Metro 7000-series derailment, WMATA's replacement request and the company's response. - FY2024-Q3MitigatedAnnual report
「The final report of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that the Group had no contractual performance deficiencies and that WMATA could have taken more appropriate action if it had analysed the progression of the widening wheel spacing that had occurred before this derailment. Although the report also found that the Group had no contractual performance deficiencies, WMATA has requested that the Group replace the wheels and axles of the 7000-series railcars at the Group's expense. The Group has responded, in accordance with the contract, that it is not required to bear the cost for WMATA.」
The NTSB's final report on the Washington Metro 7000-series derailment found no contractual performance deficiencies on the part of the Group. The Group has responded that, under the contract, it will not bear the cost of WMATA's requested replacement. - FY2024-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause. The Group is cooperating locally with the investigation at the request of WMATA and the NTSB, but the cause of the derailment has not been identified at this time.」
The company continues to describe the derailment involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar and its cooperation with the investigation into the cause by the NTSB and others. - FY2023-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause. The Group is cooperating locally with the investigation at the request of WMATA and the NTSB, but the cause of the derailment has not been identified at this time.」
The company continues to describe the derailment involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar, the investigation into its cause by the NTSB and others, and its cooperation with the investigation. - FY2023-Q1RestatedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).」
The company continues to describe the derailment involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar, the investigation into its cause by the NTSB and others, and its cooperation with the investigation. - FY2022MaterialisedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).」
The quality risk materialised as a derailment involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar, and the company continues to cooperate with investigations by the NTSB and others. - FY2022-Q3MaterialisedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).」
A derailment occurred involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car. The company is cooperating with investigations by the NTSB and others, and the cause has not been identified at this time. - FY2022-Q2MaterialisedAnnual report
「In October 2021, a derailment occurred in the United States involving a 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc., a consolidated subsidiary of the company, and maintained and operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).」
A derailment occurred involving a Washington Metro 7000-series railcar supplied by Kawasaki Rail Car. The cause has not been identified, and the company is cooperating with investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and others. - FY2019MaterialisedAnnual report
「Based on this measure, the company is also implementing corrective measures to prevent recurrence of the manufacturing defect involving N700-series Shinkansen bogie frames, as stated in its announcement of 28 September 2018, so that such an incident does not occur again.」
The product quality risk materialised as a manufacturing defect involving N700-series Shinkansen bogie frames, and the company's response to recurrence-prevention measures was described. - FY2016First statedAnnual report
「The Group's business performance may be affected by substantial costs, including damages and litigation expenses, arising from accidents attributable to product quality, claims or recalls due to heightened quality risks resulting from the globalisation and diversification of suppliers, shortages of human resources, and the erosion of technical expertise and skills caused by dependence on outsourcing.」
Compliance with quality and safety laws and regulations, and risk assessments for product and machinery safety, were identified as countermeasures.