The Transport Ministry on Sunday named a woman for the first time as a motor vehicle inspector, whose job it is to oversee vehicles allowed to run on public roads.
Miyuki Morimoto, 27, of the Osaka-based Kinki District Transport Bureau, will join about 700 male colleagues across Japan from Monday in the work of checking such functions as brakes, indicators and air pressure in some 74 million cars, buses and trucks.
Private cars which are more than three years old are required to have their registration renewed every two years, while taxis, buses and trucks must do so every year.
"I believe regular checks on vehicles can contribute to preserving the environment by helping reduce pollution," she said.