Sales of used autos soared in May in the three prefectures hit hardest by the March 11 disaster, boosted mainly by reconstruction demand, an industry body said Friday.

Sales in Miyagi Prefecture more than doubled from a year earlier to 13,587 vehicles, while Iwate registered a 52.1 percent spike and Fukushima posted a 22.4 percent jump, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

These prefectures were also provided with large numbers of used autos under relief efforts.

Sales of regular-size cargo vehicles nearly tripled in Miyagi and surged 49.3 percent in Fukushima as reconstruction projects got under way.