Omron, a prominent global manufacturer of medical devices, through one of their Japanese subsidiaries, is recalling around 18,000 units of their automatic External Defibrillator (AED) due to safety concerns. The decision was influenced by operational irregularities discovered in some units, which could impact their performance. The recall is issued as a precautionary measure to ensure users' safety.

In Japan, product safety concerns are handled with the utmost seriousness, especially when they involve something as crucial as medical devices. Consumer protection laws are robust and companies are expected to be responsible and prompt in rectifying their faults. These recalls are often seen as a sign of a company's commitment to consumer safety, rather than a damage on their reputation.

In the context of similar issues in the US or EU, recalls due to safety concerns are standard procedure and are also seen in a positive light, showing the company's dedication to consumer safety. However, regulatory bodies like the US's FDA and EU's European Medicines Agency tend to be more stringent in their testing and approval procedures for such devices.