Japan’s Trade Ministry has ordered the Japanese unit of Apple to explain why some first generation iPod Nanos have been overheating.

The Japan unit of Apple have until the 4th August to explain why the iPod Nano has been overheating and show that they are taking steps to prevent it happeing again.

A spokesman for the Ministy of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan, Seiji Shimagami said there have been 27 incidents of the first gen iPod Nano overheaing in Japan including 4 cases where minor burns were caused.

If Apple cannot provide information as to why the devices have been overheating then the ministry may require that the company offer to exchange units that aren’t faulty as well as those that are.

Apple have put a statement on their website saying that the problem has been traced too a single battery supplier, they also state that safety is a high priority.