Thirty-six diesel cars under Volkswagen group brands imported privately to Japan have software that can cheat on emissions tests, the transport ministry said Friday.
It is the first time the so-called "defeat device" software has been found on the German automaker's vehicles in Japan. The software is at the heart of the global emissions cheating scandal that has prompted Volkswagen AG to recall millions of cars.
"We will take appropriate steps, including rewriting the software, in cooperation with the Japanese unit of Volkswagen," transport minister Keiichi Ishii said at a news conference.
The software was reportedly first installed in early 2008, ensuring pollution controls would turn on only during emissions tests. Since then, around 230 diesel vehicles produced by Volkswagen and its group firms were apparently imported by consumers, rather than authorized dealerships.
It didn't matter. All 36 vehicles in question, including Audi-brand cars, passed Japan's emissions tests, raising the likelihood that the software was apparently working as designed, according to the ministry.
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry said it will hold its first meeting of experts on Wednesday to review emissions tests conducted in Japan.