The country's automobile recall system has been working well despite the recent coverup scandal involving Mitsubishi Fuso Bus & Truck Corp., the head of an industry association said Thursday.
"The recall system is based on the premise that automakers consider customer safety a top priority," said Itaru Koeda, who recently assumed the chairmanship of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. He is also cochairman of Nissan Motor Co.
His comments came in response to mounting suspicions over the effectiveness of the recall system, partly due to staff shortages at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry.
Seven officials oversee the recall system.
But even if staff numbers increase, according to Koeda, it would be difficult for authorities to detect automakers' wrongdoings.
"Vehicles are manufacturing products and the technologies are advancing day by day," Koeda said. It is impossible to prevent auto defects completely, he said.