Japanese Lingerie Group Recalls 20,000 Bras

[osaho]

• Guardian,  Wednesday 17 December 2014 07.40 GMT

Japan's lingerie maker Triumph International Japan shows off its "make-the-putt bra' for golfing women. Photograph: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

A Japanese lingerie maker is recalling more than 20,000 brassieres after complaints that underwires suddenly poked out, sometimes while women were wearing them.

The Japanese division of Triumph International, which has made a name for itself with concept lingerie such as a solar-powered bra and an “Abenomics” bra that honoured the economic revival plan of Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, said it took the move because of fears of injury.

“We are sorry for the bother but we ask customers to stop using the bras immediately,” the company said, adding its deep apologies and promising to take steps to prevent a recurrence.

The recall applied to about 22,000 bras ranging in cost from 5,600 to 6,200 yen (£30 to £34) and sold only in Japan

There have been no reports of injuries from the defect, which caused the tips of the underwires to protrude from holes in the fabric, sometimes after washing and sometimes while people were wearing them.

“It would be terrible if it happened again and somebody’s skin was scratched,”a company spokeswoman said.