The Japan Industrial Association of Gas and Kerosene Appliances announced mid-February that since 1986, there have been a total of 314 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning involving the use of gas water heaters, room heaters and other gas appliances. Of these cases, 129 resulted in 199 deaths. This announcement was followed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s revelation that 48 people have died in 27 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning involving the use of its gas water heaters.
It's possible that additional deaths have occurred outside these disclosures. A total of 26 gas appliance makers have offered information on accidents to the association.
The large number of deaths is said to be partially attributable to the stance taken by the companies involved that they would not announce fatal accidents if they were caused by the misuse of their products rather than by product defects. If the companies and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had announced such accidents, the death toll would likely have been less. They bear responsibility for not being sensitive to the prevention of fatal accidents involving gas appliances.