TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Takata Corp <7312.T> said it expects to post a return to profit this financial year, although the forecast only made a few provisions for potential costs relating to a massive global recall crisis surrounding its exploding air bags.
Around 25 million cars have been recalled worldwide since 2008 over Takata air bag inflators that have erupted with too much force, spraying shrapnel inside the car.
Six deaths have been linked to the defective component so far, all on cars made by Honda Motor Co <7267.T>, which announced disappointing profit forecasts last week citing high quality-related costs.
Takata forecast a net profit of 20 billion yen for the year through next March. That compares with a loss of 29.6 billion yen in the just-ended year, when it booked a special loss of 58.7 billion yen mostly to cover recall costs.
The forecast factors in costs of 7 billion yen associated with legal and consulting fees but does not include costs relating to the recalls or estimates of potential damages.
(Reporting by Mari Saito; Editing by Miral Fahmy and Edwina Gibbs)
