Japanese media criticises companies over fake 'recycled' goods

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — Media on Saturday criticised Japan's top paper firms for lying about the use of recycled products in goods billed as being made from such materials, the latest in a series of scandals in the corporate sector.

Five major paper producers admitted in the past week that their products contained significantly less recycled materials than advertised -- or none at all -- in their bid to offer quality products and create a good business image.

"We were utterly stunned by the cases of fake recycled papers, made by the five companies that lead the sector emphasising its environmental friendliness," the influential Nikkei business daily said in an editorial.

"This is a deep-rooted problem that can destroy the public confidence in the industrial sector as...