The transport ministry said Tuesday that it will amend an ordinance and toughen the screening of new vehicles manufactured by an automaker found to have engaged in dishonest recall practices.
The move came in response to the defect coverup scandals involving Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corp. It is unusual to link the approval of new cars and a company's recall wrongdoings.
Although the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry declined to define the measures as punishment, ministry officials said it is necessary to impose stricter steps when approving a deceitful firm's vehicle sales to ensure safety and restore public trust.