Japan's five major automakers were found to have falsified documents for some of their vehicle models. Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha were found to have submitted incorrect or manipulated test data when they applied for vehicle certification. Terrence Terashima examines the ripple effects from the recent scandal. 

Japanese automakers and motorcycle manufacturer Yamaha Motor are under fire again after Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha admitted to irregularities in safety tests on some models.

Last year, Daihatsu Motor was found to have falsified crash test results, sparking criticism of its parent company, Toyota Motor.

This issue dates back to 2016, starting with Mitsubishi Motors' falsification of fuel efficiency data. Since then, carmakers such as Nissan and Subaru have almost annually been reported for falsifying inspection data.

KAZUO SHIMIZU Motor Journalist "The question is, why are there so many such incidents in Japan. Japanese automobile manufacturers have had an international reputation for being extremely reliable and high-quality. However, the image of Japanese brands is now being tarnished. This is the worst outcome of these recent scandals."

Toyota claimed that some of the tests were conducted under stricter conditions than required. However, the transport ministry believes Toyota Motor's misconduct on vehicle certification may violate not only domestic standards but also U.N. vehicle regulations.

KAZUO SHIMIZU Motor Journalist "I think it is presumptuous of the engineers to believe that because they conducted stricter tests than required, they don't need to perform the certification tests. They assumed it was acceptable to pass the simple certification tests because they were doing something more difficult. Instead of conducting proper tests, they replaced the certification test data with results from their stricter tests, resulting in false data."

Car dealers are severely affected by the news, with customers having second thoughts about purchasing new or used cars, fearing more irregularities might emerge.

ALI NARITA President, Base Auto "Many of my customers have had second thoughts about purchasing cars with data falsification. Even those who planned to buy a car with their next bonus are now cautious and may delay their purchase, unsure which model would be safe to buy."

TERRENCE TERASHIMA Tokyo "The transport ministry conducted on-site inspections at each company regarding misconduct in model certifications. Officials said the ministry will decide on administrative action based on the Road Transport Vehicle Law. Terrence Terashima, CGTN, Tokyo."