川崎重工丑闻缠身，为何军工订单却“接到手软”？

Core Viewpoint - The credibility of "Made in Japan" is declining, particularly affecting the defense industry, as evidenced by the recent suspension of Kawasaki Heavy Industries from bidding for two and a half months due to data manipulation in submarine engine tests [1][3]. Group 1: Company Misconduct - Kawasaki Heavy Industries admitted to falsifying fuel efficiency data for submarine engines supplied to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with the fraudulent activity occurring from 1988 to 2021, affecting 66 engines used in 33 submarines [8]. - The Japanese Ministry of Defense described the incident as a "long-term, systematic fraud," although it stated that there was no impact on operational actions or safety [8]. - The company’s president, Yasuhiko Hashimoto, expressed a serious commitment to addressing the issue and restoring trust, indicating that disciplinary actions against involved employees are being considered [8]. Group 2: Financial and Contractual Implications - Kawasaki Heavy Industries holds significant contracts with the Japanese Ministry of Defense, with a reported contract amount of 638.3 billion yen (approximately 4.1 billion USD) for the fiscal year 2024, marking a 60% increase from the previous year [14]. - The company is projected to see its defense business sales rise to between 500 billion and 700 billion yen by fiscal year 2030, with optimistic forecasts suggesting sales could exceed 700 billion yen [17]. Group 3: Broader Industry Context - The recent scandals involving Kawasaki Heavy Industries are not isolated, as similar fraudulent activities have been reported involving other companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United Corporation, indicating a systemic issue within the defense procurement process [14][21]. - The Japanese defense sector is experiencing increased scrutiny and calls for regulatory reforms, yet Kawasaki Heavy Industries continues to thrive despite its scandals, raising questions about the effectiveness of the penalties imposed [19][21].