According to the law firm press release, Kobe Steel, Ltd. is one of Japan’s largest steel manufacturers and a major supplier of aluminum and copper products.

During the Class Period, Kobe Steel repeatedly misrepresented the quality of its products and the integrity of its operations by emphasizing that it offers “excellent products and services” with “special attention to product safety” as it has “an organizational culture that is highly sensitive to compliance issues.”

Defendants’ statements pertaining to Kobe Steel’s products and performance of its operations were materially false and misleading because the company had intentionally falsified data on many of its aluminum, copper, iron and steel products, and knowingly sold products that failed quality control tests.

During the week of October 13, 2017, Kobe Steel admitted to falsifying inspection certificates on its core products in its aluminum and copper and iron and steel segments and not complying with customer standards. As a result, Kobe Steel ADRs cumulatively declined $2.37 or approximately 40% during that week.

On April 4, 2018, the Court issued an Order appointing Lead Plaintiff and Counsel.

On August 10, 2018, the Parties reached an agreement in principle to resolve their dispute pursuant to a class-wide Settlement. On September 21, the Parties entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement. The Court issued an Order preliminarily approving the Settlement on November 27. On March 12, 2019, the Court granted final approval of the Settlement and entered Final Judgment. On March 16, 2020, the Court issued an Order granting authorization to distribute the net Settlement fund.