The transport ministry will require automakers to equip cars with computerized technology to minimize skidding starting in 2012, sources said.
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry will announce the decision Thursday, the sources said.
The installation of ESC will become mandatory in October 2012 for models that will be newly registered, in October 2014 for existing models and new minivehicle models, and in February 2018 for existing minivehicle models, the sources said.
The decision was made as the European Union will make the installation of electronic stability control mandatory next autumn.
ESC improves a vehicle's stability by minimizing skidding as it automatically applies the brakes upon detecting a loss of steering control. Certain data show that ESC cuts the occurrence of accidents by 30 percent.
The installation of ESC is widely practiced in Europe, with some 70 percent of cars equipped with it in Germany. In Japan, the device was installed in 12 percent of 4.17 million cars produced domestically in 2008, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.