Matsushita Recalls 68,000 Massage Chairs, Citing Fire Risk

By Kyodo News International, Tokyo

Jan. 31–OSAKA — Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Matsushita Electric Works Ltd. said Wednesday they will recall some 68,000 massage chairs the latter has made, as there is a risk they may catch fire.

Two such cases have been reported but there are no reports of any injuries caused in the incidents, the two companies said.

The Real Pro X chair will be inspected and repaired free of charge, according to the companies.

A part of one such chair caught fire in Miyagi Prefecture in December and a similar incident happened in Kanagawa Prefecture this month, both as a result of electric wires to a motor being severed, Matsushita Electric Works said.

The products subject to the recall were made between June 2005 and this January. The massage chairs are mostly used by people in their homes.

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