"It might have been better if (the industry ministry) had announced the incidents even though they occurred due to misuse (of Rinnai-made products) on the part of consumers," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari said at a news conference.

Amari made the comments amid growing criticism that the government could have helped avoid the recurrence of such incidents had it announced the first carbon monoxide poisoning case involving a Rinnai product in 2000.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 17, 2007
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