The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) held a press conference on September 19, 2024.
Chairman Masanori Katayama (Isuzu) spoke about preventing further certification problems, ensuring fair transactions with suppliers, and organizing Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2024, scheduled for October.

Full Archive of Press Conference

KATAYAMA Masanori, Chairman

(Chairman, Isuzu Motors Ltd.)

Addressing the challenges facing the auto industry, Chairman Katayama first turned to issues related to model certification applications.

“The discovery of such irregularities at multiple member companies reflects a fundamental problem for automobile manufacturing, one that affects the safety and confidence of all users,” he acknowledged.

Katayama also reported that 243 preventative measures had been compiled across the 14 member companies as part of sweeping efforts to improve management, culture, and technical aspects.

“At JAMA, we are committed to rectifying this matter and figuring out how we can build on it moving forward.To harness this as a positive energy for the entire automotive sector, we will continue to seek advice from the authorities and hold direct discussions between company leaders, as we strive to strengthen industry-wide efforts.

We recognize that a crucial issue is ensuring fairness across the entire supply chain, not merely the transactions between OEMs (carmakers) and Tier 1 suppliers.

On July 18, we held a meeting between all JAMA and JAPIA chairmen and vice chairmen to discuss this point. We agreed to strengthen our cooperation further by promoting fair transactions and making the auto industry more competitive. As a specific example of our efforts, on August 21, we co-hosted a seminar on fair transactions for the member companies of both associations.”

“Around 500 people attended the event, which featured presentations by legal professionals covering the key points for complying with the Subcontract Act and other regulations.
We plan to continue these joint seminars with JAPIA, expanding both the content and participating companies.”

“In terms of promoting fair transactions, the most important thing is diligent, ongoing efforts by individual member companies. We recently decided to update our partnership-building declaration made by member company leaders. It aims to create co-prosperity throughout the supply chain, to incorporate commitments to ‘conducting explicit negotiations” and “working to pass on relevant increases in the costs of labor, raw materials, energy, etc.'”

“To ensure that such efforts are spread across the supply chain, we will continue to collaborate closely with related organizations, working as one to drive constant improvement and make Japan’s auto industry even more competitive.”

The day after the press conference, JAMA held a media briefing about the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) Bizweek 2024.

Each year, the JMS alternates between a showcase of future mobility for the general public and an event to deepen networking and collaboration among businesses. This year’s show will focus on the latter.

The event will feature booths by a planned 208 exhibitors consisting of 150 startups and 58 established companies. Companies will present their business challenges and potential solutions, spurring engagement with other participants.

At the press conference, Chairman Katayama said he hopes the event will serve as a platform for new business co-creation.

“This year’s show will be business-oriented, bringing together established companies that seek solutions to their challenges, and startups with ideas for new technologies and services. We also look forward to seeing many people who are interested in the future mobility society and technological innovation.”

This year’s JMS will be held alongside CEATEC, a major trade show for industries related to artificial intelligence and other digital technologies. The two events will run from October 15 to 18 at Makuhari Messe (Chiba), with visitors able to explore both JMS and CEATEC.