Daily Gomiuri
Automaker Isuzu Motors Ltd. canceled a durability test on a test vehicle one month before the company underwent a government inspection after an employee pointed out that the vehicle had been illegally modified, it has been learned.
Isuzu, based in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, insists it was not aware that testing such vehicles on public roads was illegal. But the Construction and Transport Ministry suspects the development division canceled the test to conceal its illegal modification.
The development division replaced the prototype engine of a truck at a factory in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, after the company registered the model with the ministry in September. The firm started testing the vehicle in November....the rest...
4 companies faked deadweights of vehicles
Daily Gomiuri
Four companies, including major construction machinery maker Komatsu Ltd., falsified the deadweights of vehicles to be used in railway maintenance so they could obtain official inspection certificates and sold a total of 62 such vehicles to JR firms, according to sources.
Komatsu, which is based in Minato Ward, Tokyo, manufactured 41 of the units after it received inspection certificates from 1994, and sold the vehicles to West Japan Railway Co. and Central Japan Railway Co.
The Construction and Transport Ministry is investigating the four companies on suspicion of violating the Road Transport Vehicle Law by acquiring inspection certificates illegally and is considering filing criminal charges against them.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., headquartered in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo; imported car dealer Yanase & Co., headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo; and Toyo Trailer Co., based in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, were responsible for the remaining 21 units....the rest...
