A month ago, its top executive denied assertions that it had hidden repeated problems.

Even 50 years later, the administration is following the same pattern, hiding problems and putting off announcements.

Now banks and companies shrink from clients who they suspect may have hidden problems.

A 65-year-old man may hide medical problems from his children out of fear of being treated as if he were fragile.

"Not long ago people did all they could to hide problems like these."

The central government needs more intrusive powers so that local officials do not hide problems, the thinking goes.

'Hide and seek' This often caused him problems with his career in schools.

Success hides problems, and Apple has been so very successful in recent years.

The bad ones hide problems and stick you with a big repair bill.

Analysts said he real problem may not be quality but the tendency in Japan Inc. to hide problems.