Japan to Apple: Release Overheating iPod nano Info

The Trade Ministry in Japan has ordered Apple to publish information detailing how first generation iPod nano owners can get replacement batteries if their device is overheating, according to Reuters.

Officials are telling Apple that the company must post an “easy to understand” statement on its website in Japan with an explanation of how users suffering from first generation nano battery overheating issues can get the battery replaced. The order follows 27 incidents where original iPod nanos overheated.

According to Apple, all of the incidents can be traced to batteries supplied from a single source. Apple has promised to fix the problem for customers, which presumably means the company will either replace the faulty batteries, or give users a refurbished or new iPod nano.

Apple’s first gen iPod nano, available in black or white.

Reports of first generation iPod nanos overheating in Japan first began appearing on 2008. In some cases, the iPod nanos began to smoke, too.

At the time, Apple stated 

Apple has determined that in very rare cases batteries in first generation iPod nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat causing failure and deformation of the iPod nano. Apple has received very few reports of such incidents (less than 0.001 percent of first generation iPod nano units), which have been traced back to a single battery supplier. There have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model.

Apple also posted a Knowledge Base support article advising customers that experience overheating issues to contact AppleCare for assistance. That article was last updated in October, 2009.