Society

Subaru finds more cars affected by data fabrication, leading to shake-up of top management

Jun 06 (Japan Times) - Subaru Corp. said Tuesday it has found new cases of product data fabrication, bringing the total number of affected vehicles to 1,551, up from the previously reported 903, and prompting a revamp of its top management.

Yasuyuki Yoshinaga will step down as Subaru's president and also as CEO to take responsibility for the inspection scandal. He will become chairman without the right to represent the company and will focus on dealing with the misconduct.

The post of CEO will now be filled by Tomomi Nakamura, the incoming president, the automaker said. Their appointments will be effective June 22.

The automaker said in a report submitted to the government in April that mileage and emissions data for new cars were systematically rigged at one of its domestic plants and that the malpractice may have started around 2002.

In the newly found cases, Subaru ignored the deviation of vehicle speed and room humidity levels from usual standards when it measured the fuel economy and other aspects of the vehicles, company officials said.

Source: ANNnewsCH

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) Moves Toward Vietnam, Heavy Rain Forecast For Japan

Typhoon No. 24 (Fung-shen) is strengthening over the South China Sea and is expected to make landfall in Vietnam later this week, according to forecasts. Satellite images on October 20th show extensive cloud coverage over the central South China Sea. After passing over the Philippines, Fung-shen temporarily weakened but is projected to intensify again as it continues westward through Tuesday.

Real-Life Water Police: Protecting Tokyo’s Seas and Rivers

Tokyo’s seas and rivers, once considered lawless backwaters beyond the reach of regular policing, are now under constant watch by a dedicated force known as the “water police,” specialists who patrol the capital’s waterways, chase down smugglers, stop reckless jet ski riders, and carry out dramatic rescue missions to save lives.

Tourist Graffiti Threatens Kyoto’s Iconic Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s world-famous Arashiyama district, a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists, is facing a growing problem of graffiti etched into the bamboo along its iconic “Bamboo Grove Path,” with more than 350 stalks now damaged — a practice that experts warn could eventually cause bamboo to weaken, fall, and even injure visitors.

Japanese Streaming Services Struggle Against Netflix

Japan’s streaming industry is under growing pressure as foreign giants tighten their grip on the domestic market, with Netflix’s latest move to secure exclusive broadcast rights in Japan for every game of the World Baseball Classic next March highlighting the widening gap.

Japan Tightens Rules on Foreign Business Visas

Investigators from the Immigration Services Agency conducted on-site inspections in Osaka on October 14th amid a surge in so-called 'paper companies' created by foreign nationals seeking residency.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Society NEWS

Mako Komuro Appears in Six-Page Town & Country Feature

The October issue of the long-established American lifestyle magazine Town & Country features Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family, on the cover under the headline "Princess Ingognito," dedicating a six-page spread to Komuro and her husband Kei, exploring their life in the United States.