Japan's automotive industry Thursday lambasted the government's plans to make tax revenues hitherto earmarked for road construction available for general purposes.
Auto lobbyists claim that using the money for other purposes would constitute a betrayal of motorists' trust.
Automakers and other automotive-related companies started collecting signatures from car owners nationwide last month to illustrate taxpayer opposition to the government's plans. Some 1 million signatures have thus far been obtained, according to the Japan Automobile Federation.