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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Toyota executives suspected of neglecting need for recall

Toyota Motor Corporation officials have been under criminal investigation on suspicion of neglecting for about eight years to take the necessary measures to correct a major defect in the recreational vehicle Hilux.

Toyota's responsibility is serious in that it has long neglected the defect that could have caused major accidents. Toyota is to blame for putting profit ahead of safety.

On July 11, the case against three successive managers in charge of quality control was turned over to prosecutors. According to the Kumamoto Prefectural Police, in 1995 and 1996 the company investigated into a defect found in the relay rod that links the steering and the front wheels and confirmed that the rod had insufficient mechanical strength. However, because there have been no serious Hilux-related accidents, they neglected to take the necessary corrective measures.

In August 2004, five people were injured in a head-on collision in Kikuchi City in Kumamoto Prefecture because the driver lost control of his car, a Hilux Surf, due to a broken rod.

After this accident, in October 2004 Toyota informed the Land, Infrastructure and Transportation Ministry it planned to recall this model. The prefectural police that investigated the accident began investigation into the three Toyota managers for professional negligence resulting in injuries.

The police announced that since 1992 till 2004 when Toyota recalled the RV, 52 claims of trouble were filed in Japan and 28 from abroad.

In June 2005, Akahata reported that Toyota's Prius has a defect causing engine shutdown while running. Toyota repaired the vehicles free of charge as a "service campaign" without issuing a recall.

Since 2000, massive scandalous recall cover-ups by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and defects in wheel hubs of heavy vehicles made by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. came to light and became a major social issue. The latest negligence regarding defects and the behind-the-scenes repairs by Toyota following the head of Mitsubishi show clearly that the major auto manufacturers have neglected their responsibilities regarding vehicle safety.
- Akahata, July 12, 2006