LOC11:21
08:21 GMT
TOKYO, April 15 (KUNA) -- The Japanese automobile industry is to start
voluntarily checking export cars for radiation in order to combat rumors that
the cars are contaminated with radioactive substances, public broadcaster NHK
reported Thursday.
The safety checks follow rising concerns outside Japan that automobiles
exported from the country may be contaminated with radiation after the
accidents at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, said NHK.
Japan's automakers said no radioactive substances have been found in their
tests, but the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association decided to take the
measure to guarantee the safety of Japanese cars industry-wide.
The association is planning to choose about 10 automobiles per shipment,
and using special devices to check whether high levels of radiation are
detected or not, according to the report. The tests will be conducted under
the rules set by the association, and the data will be disclosed to other
countries as necessary.
The association said it will start the tests in April at major ports in the
country, while it plans to urge the government to make new safety standards
for the products.
The US has already begun checking Japanese cars for radiation at several
ports in the country. (end)
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KUNA 151121 Apr 11NNNN