Japanese firm in air bag crisis uses unique chemical to inflate devices

Tokyo

THE emerging crisis over air bags traces back to a little-known Japanese company that for over 20 years has supplied the safety devices to carmakers including Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co and General Motors Co.

Air bags made by Takata Corp are linked to at least four deaths and more than 30 injuries in the US after the safety devices deployed with too much force, spraying metal shrapnel at occupants. US authorities have begun an investigation and almost eight million cars made by 10 carmakers have been recalled to fix the hazard.