Postponement of Vehicle Standards After the Kumamoto Earthquake

Because vehicles require a certain period from order placement to delivery, manufacturers accept orders while taking into account the time required for production. Production delays caused in part by damage to companies involved in production during the Kumamoto earthquake resulted in a situation where production of vehicles already ordered could not be completed by the application date of the new standards.

In light of the difficulty of complying with the new standards, the application date for the standards will be postponed as an exceptional measure.

Part of the Notice Prescribing Matters Necessary for Organizing the Application of the Provisions of Chapters 2 and 3 of the Safety Standards for Road Transport Vehicles will be amended, postponing from September 1, 2026, to November 1, 2026, the application date for standards applicable to vehicles in continuing production. The targets are the internationally harmonized exhaust emissions and fuel economy test procedures for diesel vehicles; the expansion of the scope of application of labeling requirements for pneumatic rubber tires and other requirements, as well as installation requirements; digital keys; automatic activation of electric parking brakes; collision damage mitigation braking systems; cybersecurity; software updates; strengthened requirements for pedestrian head protection performance in collisions; strengthened requirements for occupant protection performance of head restraints; exhaust emissions from diesel vehicles; and standards concerning accident information measuring and recording devices. The promulgation date is August 31, 2026, and the effective date is the date of promulgation.