In a shocking revelation, Toyota Motor Corp. has admitted to cheating on vehicle certifications, dealing a hefty blow to Japan's automotive industry. The admission puts Toyota on a growing list of Japanese auto companies facing misconduct allegations, including Honda, Mazda, Suzuki, and Yamaha.

The troubling disclosure comes after Toyota revealed that it had obtained vehicle certifications for seven models through fraudulent safety tests. The country's Transport Ministry has announced its plans to conduct on-site inspections at Toyota, potentially leading to administrative action.

Out of the seven models involved in the scandal, Toyota had already discontinued four, while shipments of the remaining three - the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio, and Yaris Cross - have been ordered to be halted by the Ministry. Despite this, Toyota has assured consumers that there are "no performance issues that contravene laws and regulations," giving reassurance that the affected vehicles are safe to use.

Toyota has identified that the certifications in question relate to pedestrian and occupant protection tests for the three aforementioned models. Additionally, the company has identified errors in crash tests and other testing methods for the already discontinued Crown, Isis, Sienta, and RX models. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed remorse during a press conference, acknowledging that the misconduct has "shaken the foundation of the certification system," which automakers are strictly expected to uphold.

This scandal has impacted approximately 1.7 million Toyota vehicles. In comparison, Mazda reported that 150,000 vehicles were affected, while Honda revealed that a staggering 4.35 million vehicles were impacted. Suzuki reported a much smaller number, with 26,000 vehicles affected, yet both Honda and Suzuki clarified that all impacted models had already been discontinued.

Toyota has sincerely apologized to its customers and stakeholders, acknowledging the concern and inconvenience caused by this revelation. The company emphasized its commitment to addressing the issue seriously, particularly in the wake of recent certification problems discovered at Hino Motors, Ltd., Daihatsu Motor Co., and Toyota Industries.

The repercussions of this scandal are significant, as it not only tarnishes the reputation of one of Japan's most prominent auto manufacturers but also highlights the urgent need for stricter compliance and adherence to certification standards. The industry and regulators alike will be closely observing the follow-up actions taken by Toyota and the other impacted companies to restore confidence in the Japanese automotive sector.