This announcement presents necessary regulatory reviews to respond to environmental changes surrounding the automobile maintenance business and realize a society where maintenance services can continue to be received anywhere in the country.
Key Points
1. Current Status and Challenges of the Automotive Maintenance Industry
- Technological sophistication progressing in maintenance field with evolution of advanced safety technologies such as autonomous driving
- Serious manifestation of declining personnel performing inspections and maintenance
- Widely collecting concerns from businesses and examining solutions with stakeholders
- Urgent need to update maintenance business regulations for the times
2. Deregulation of Certified and Designated Workshops
- Implementation of equipment requirement reviews for certified workshops
- Relaxation of minimum worker requirements for designated workshops (large)
- Enabling efficient workshop operations in response to labor shortages
- Supporting reduction of capital investment burden and productivity improvement
3. Strengthening Response to Autonomous Vehicles
- Strengthening inspector requirements for autonomous vehicles
- Promoting cultivation of specialized personnel capable of handling advanced technologies
- Balancing safety assurance with response to technological innovation
- Building inspection systems compliant with new technical standards
4. Reform of Human Resource Development and Qualification Systems
- Shortening practical experience years for automotive mechanic qualifications
- Permitting online training and courses, expanding learning opportunities
- Promoting early cultivation of young talent and industry entry
- Providing educational opportunities beyond geographical constraints
5. Promoting Digitalization and Business Efficiency
- Permitting use of "electronic" inspection and maintenance record books
- Expanding scope of inspections possible with scan tools
- Business efficiency through paperless operations
- Promoting utilization of advanced diagnostic equipment
The article concludes that through these regulatory reviews, the aim is to simultaneously address the two challenges of technological innovation and labor shortages, building a sustainable automotive maintenance service provision system.