@Tickerguy - Good detective work and fantastic article. (Nice SQL too.)

Was gonna make the same comment as Bluto, in that we know Japan found contamination (stainless steel particulate from manufacturing process if memory serves.)
Not sure how that would make this kind of difference...

I can't think of an explanation for this data other than what you said that somehow the reporting *instructions* changed so that they somehow changed or stopped reporting the adverse effects.
If that's true, then yeah it's a huge shit sandwich.

My money's on the fact that they DID know early on and took the decision to conceal the truth anyway because of panic.
(And why they can't admit to being wrong = maximum culpability.)

Who said it's not the crime that gets you it's the coverup?

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"Threats are illogical. And payment is usually expensive." - Sarek of Vulcan