Sony apologizes to customers for global recall of laptop batteries

TOKYO (AP) - Sony has apologized for a global recall in laptop batteries, admitting that the troubles have caused worries and inconvenience to consumers. The Japanese electronics and entertainment company says improvements in production, design and inspection have been made to prevent a recurrence of laptop overheating problems. Company officials say the issues were caused by microscopic metal particles that mistakenly got inside the battery, causing short-circuiting.

The Sony officials, seated at a news conference in Tokyo, bowed slightly while delivering their apology.

It's customary in Japan to stand and bow deeply while when giving public apologies. The Sony executives' gesture underlines how the company has been reluctant to admit fault in the troubles with its laptop batteries.

Sony said last week that about 9.6 million lithium-ion batteries are being recalled worldwide after reports of some computers using the Sony battery packs overheating and bursting into flames. Overnight a voluntary recall of 340,000 laptop batteries made by Sony Corp. was announced in the United States.

© The Canadian Press, 2006