On the 9th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced that it had terminated its contract with four Toyota Motor Corp. dealers in three prefectures, including Hokkaido, for the installation of “seals” on vehicle license plates, due to irregularities such as the reuse of used ones. It will also suspend contracts with 24 dealers in 16 prefectures, including Nissan Motor Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd., for six months, after inappropriate practices were confirmed.

Following the discovery of fraud at Asahikawa Toyota Motor Corporation (Asahikawa, Hokkaido), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism began investigating approximately 2,500 businesses across the country that had been contracted to carry out the work in April.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the seal is a cap that is placed over the fastener at the top left of the rear plate. Its installation is required by the Road Transport Vehicle Act. Its purpose is to certify that the vehicle has not been illegally modified, and it is installed by a regional transport bureau. Automobile dealerships and private repair shops commissioned by the government can also install the seal if they meet certain conditions, such as having a responsible person present at a location that has been applied for in advance.