More fallout from the flaming battery debacle. Today, The Associated Press reports, (picked up by A-list consumer tech blog engadget,) that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is putting the blame squarely back on Apple. The trade powerful ministry has ordered Apple's Japanese subsidiary to get to the bottom of the battery fiasco by September 5th, or the company could face a fine of up to ¥300,000 ($2,570) under local consumer safety laws. It's unclear whether the fine is per day per laptop or a one-time fine. Obviously, there's a huge difference.

On the surface, we all knew that it was Japan's venerable consumer electronics company SONY that was culpable for the faulty batteries and the millions of laptops recalled by Apple and Dell. Still, those who know anything about doing business in that country will know that METI is a not-so-silent partner in promoting Japanese business and companies. Hence, today's news.