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Apple Japan agrees to replace overheating iPod nano units

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Following the request of Japanese authorities, Apple has finally agreed to replace a number of iPod nano music players, which may have proved a fire risk.

According to AFP, Japan’s industry ministry once again warned the first generation iPod nano, sold from 2005, had caused a number of accidents. “Four people burned themselves after they touched the device, which had overheated during charging,” an official from the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry said.

The ministry had called on Apple to reveal just how many iPods, both in the US and worldwide, had suffered from similar over heating issues.

Under pressure, Apple’s Japanese unit has agreed to replace the aging iPods, admitting “very rare cases of overheating” in the iPod nano’s battery, originally sold between September 2005 and December 2006.

Apple blamed the fault, which could also lead to bulging iPods, on faulty batteries, traced to a particular third-party manufacturer.

The ministry called Apple’s delay in resolving the issue “truly regrettable,” but noted they are “aware of the amendment” on the Apple site and offer of replacement iPods from the company.

“But we have yet to receive any formal report from the company about it. So we cannot make any comment at this stage,” said Naotake Fujushiro, who added that Apple has sold about 1.8 million units of the 2005 iPod nano in Japan since September 2005.

Apple did not reveal if the company would extend the iPod nano replacement scheme to countries other than Japan.