-
● Reviewing procedures for development
and certification work- Ensuring an appropriate development schedule
- Separating development and certification schedules
-
● Establishing rules for development
and certification work- Revising and clarifying responsibilities
within internal regulations - Setting rules for proper certification tests
- Revising and clarifying responsibilities
-
● Ensuring the necessary personnel
for certification tests -
● Improving the understanding of
regulations and
certifications and
fostering a sense of ethics- Educating all employees on regulations and certifications
Continuously checking and becoming proficient with certification tests - Re-educating employees on ethics
- Educating all employees on regulations and certifications
-
● Strengthening a checking system
for the certification process
-
● Conducting training on regulations,
certification processes, and compliance - ● Reinforcing internal audit systems
-
● Clarification of who holds responsibility
and authority in
development work
and legal certification work -
●
Establishing the “Three Pledges” and
Reform Advancement Division
to follow up on the implementation
and
continuation of measures
to prevent recurrence
Procedural irregularities related to applications
for type designation were discovered in 64 models
and three engines of Daihatsu brand vehicles
and OEM vehicles supplied to other companies.
We believe that the following are the causes
behind these procedure irregularities,
which occurred against a background of
increasing amounts of vehicle models produced
and target countries and regions
in recent years on the one hand,
and our inability to respond appropriately
due to a lack of resources on the other.
Reviewing procedures for development and certification work
Ensuring an appropriate development schedule
We will accurately estimate the workload required for development and establish a suitable system. If a review becomes necessary during the project, we will pause and discuss immediately.
Separating development and certification schedules
We will transition to a system where certification work begins after the completion of development to ensure that issues in development do not hinder the certification process.
Establishing rules for development and certification work
Revising and clarifying responsibilities within internal regulations
To ensure the smooth execution of work based on Article 75 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act, we clarified responsibilities and established internal regulations.
Article 75 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act is a provision concerning the vehicle type approval. It stipulates that the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism designates vehicle types and ensures the safety and environmental performance based on the type approval.
Setting rules for proper certification tests
We have established internal regulations that clarify the content and processes of work related to certification tests. Additionally, we have standardized forms such as "test request slips," "procedure manuals," and "in-house TR." We have also created a "skill map" to quickly identify the skills of each member, ensuring that members with the necessary skills are assigned to tests. Furthermore, to strictly manage test vehicles, we have established rules for using lockable body covers and tamper-preventing stickers.
Ensuring the necessary personnel for certification tests
The departments responsible for legal certification and the evaluation and development of safety performance related to certification testing are progressing with planned recruitment and training of personnel.
Improving the understanding of regulations and certifications and fostering a sense of ethics
Educating all employees on regulations and certifications
To raise compliance awareness, we will provide continuous training on certification.
Continuously checking and becoming proficient with certification tests
To ensure correct execution of certification tasks, we continuously conduct procedural checks and training for regulatory certification tests.
Re-educating employees on ethics
To enhance understanding of irregularities and their impacts, we will hold annual compliance training based on real case studies. Additionally, we conduct e-learning sessions on engineer ethics.
Strengthening a checking system for the certification process
In the certification process, the first layer involves self-inspection by the design department, the second layer includes accuracy checks by the Regulation & Certification Division, and the third layer involves audits of the entire process by the Regulation & Certification Division’s audit project manager. Furthermore, the Quality Assurance Division verifies whether the overall process, from the first to the third layer, is conducted correctly according to regulations from a third-party perspective.
Conducting training on regulations, certification processes, and compliance
We provide the following two points of internal training to management:
1.Article 75 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act and the automobile type designation system based on this article, the related internal processes, company-wide regulations, and internal technical standards.
2.The significance of type certification systems in each countries and the process leading up to receiving type approval.
Additionally, we regularly attend external training sessions conducted by external instructors on compliance and risk management to enhance our knowledge.
Reinforcing internal audit systems
To strengthen internal audit systems, we have increased the number of Audit Division members to enhance auditing capabilities and allow for broader audits. In April 2024, we established a Governance, Risk and Compliance management Division to take over the administrative tasks related to compliance and overall management tasks previously handled by the Audit Division, enabling it to focus entirely on internal audits.
Clarification of responsibilities and authorities for development and regulations & certification work
To clearly separate the roles of development, evaluation, and certification, and to monitor their proper functioning, we made the following organizational changes effective June 1, 2023:
・Established the new Quality Management Group, transferring the Regulation & Certification Department and Quality Assurance Division
・Divided the Vehicle Performance Development Division into two sections: Development and Evaluation, and transferred safety performance certification work to the Regulation & Certification Department (at the time) *The Regulation & Certification Department was renamed the Regulation & Certification Division on May 1, 2024.
Establishment of the “Three Pledges” and Reform Advancement Divisi on to follow up on the implementation and continuation of recurrence prevention measures
To ensure that recurrence prevention measures are implemented, the “Three Pledges” and Reform Advancement Division was established on April 1, 2024. This division supports initiatives for recurrence prevention in each division, facilitates collaboration with relevant divisions when issues arise, and promotes the planning and execution of countermeasures.
Creating opportunities for management and employees to connect and revitalizing dialogue
We launched a "Inner Communication Site" on the company's internal network to communicate top messages, company policies, and updates on management visits. Additionally, we utilized internal chat tools to encourage open conversations between management and employees on topics ranging from company matters to personal discussions. Furthermore, to enhance dialogue between management and each workplace, we held discussion events focusing on themes such as financial results and company initiatives, both online and offline.
Implementation of Omoiyari [Considerate] Communication training for enhancing human skills
We will continue conducting training aimed at enhancing human skills so that executives and managers can better support each member.
Improvement of the internal reporting system
To create a safer environment for raising concerns, we have improved the internal reporting system. We conduct fair and impartial investigations in response to reports and strive to inform anonymous reporters of the results whenever possible. Additionally, we have added an external reporting channel through a law firm, increasing options for users. To raise awareness of these improvements, we are promoting visibility through poster displays in the workplace and regular reports on the company's internal network.