Regarding Current Media Reports UPDATE

We have confirmed from interview footage reported by the Lebanese media at around 19:00 on September 18, 2024, the following comments from Mr. Johnny Corm, the Lebanese Minister of Communications:

• The radios that have exploded were not authorized devices by Lebanon's Ministry of Communications.
• Normally, we would only allow imports after type approval from the General Security Directorate and the Intelligence Directorate.
• They were not imported through a distributor either.
• The reason being that the model number of the radio involved is no longer being manufactured by the manufacturer (Icom Inc.). We also know for certain that counterfeit radios of the same model number are being imported from other countries.
• There is a growing concern that telephones and other devices may explode, but there is no danger of this with officially imported products.

Therefore, the Lebanese authorities have established/indicated that the exploding radios were not our products.

We have established an export program (the Icom Security Trade Control Program) based on the provisions of the Security Export Control regulations, and we export our products for overseas markets under a strict management system until they reach our authorized distributors.

All of the radios we manufacture are assigned a serial number. When we receive an order from an overseas authorized distributor, the product is shipped from our manufacturing subsidiary, Wakayama Icom Co., Ltd. (Arita Factory and Kinokawa Factory, Wakayama Prefecture). The products are delivered to the authorized distributors by a forwarder (a company that handles the transportation of goods). We keep track of all the information related to the transportation companies involved in this process, including the means and routes used, by linking it to the serial numbers.

In addition, it is not confirmed which serial number product will be sold to which end user until the time of sale. Therefore, it can be considered that it is virtually impossible to target radio equipment used by a specific end user in the distribution channel to our authorized distributors.

The only way to determine that the radio that exploded was not an Icom product is to actually physically check one of the damaged devices. However, upon collation of the multiple content of information that have come to light so far, such as the fact that the radio did not have a hologram sticker attached (as reported in the second update) and the above comments, we believe that the possibility that the radio that exploded was an Icom product is extremely low.

We have also confirmed the existence of markets in the Middle East where counterfeit products are sold, and while it is difficult to give a clear figure, there are many counterfeit products circulating, mainly in the Asian region.

Not only do counterfeit products affect legitimate sales, but they also pose a risk to end users of violating radio laws in each country, quality problems, and even leading to safety issues. Accordingly, we have continued working to eliminate counterfeit products as part of our corporate responsibility.

For products that are more easily copied, we implement one or both of the following measures to enable users to check for themselves

• Authentication system using QR codes
• Hologram stickers

For details, see: https://www.icomjapan.com/explore/genuine_info/ (English)

We have and are constantly taking decisive action against organizations involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit products, regardless of their location, through legal action and cooperation with the local authorities.

An example of such action taken in Thailand: https://www.icomjapan.com/news/3691/

In recent years, the online sale of counterfeit products has also increased, and we are strengthening our measures against this too.

In order to ensure safety and peace of mind, please purchase your radio equipment only from our authorized distributors.

Again, we are saddened that radios/communication devices, which should be a tool for ensuring safety and peace of mind, have been used in this way, regardless of whether they are manufactured by our company or not. We are also unable to suppress our deep disappointment that there has been a loss in confidence in two-way radios in general.

As a company that aims to creates a safe and prosperous society through advanced communication, we will continue to work to ensure that we can supply products that can be used with peace of mind to the market.