Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are demanding a response from Apple Japan on the reports that overheating iPod nanos have caused at least 27 incidents in the country. The Japanese iPod nano owners left the iDevice charging for so long, that the battery pack became too hot and began sparking. There have been six different fires and four people burned as a result of this mishap.

Apple's Japan division has yet to issue a public statement, or respond to government questioning and requests for action. 

"The ministry repeatedly asked Apple Japan to take market measures, such as giving warnings or recalling the products, but it has failed to do so," says a Ministry official.

It appears that the iPod nanos in question are 2005 models, but Japan wants to know how many other similar incidents have happened around the world. The problem is believed to have been caused by potentially faulty lithium-ion batteries.

via iPodNN

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