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Although no one was injured in the three fires, the Japanese government revealed that Apple has let them know of two other instances in which its customers had received minor burns.

The trade ministry said iPod nanos with known overheating incidents were sold in Japan between September 2005 and September 2006.

According to the ministry's spokesperson, a "semi-governmental body" specialising in product safety will be recruited to look into the cause of the fires, in cooperation with Apple.

"We are not in the position to speculate on the outcome of the investigation. But after several incidents like these, it would be appropriate for Apple to take some measures to raise the public's awareness," the official said.

Apple officials were not immediately available for comment.