Japan: Begins Radiation Tests On Export Cars To Combat Rumors

Japanese automakers have started testing export cars for radiation in order to combat rumors overseas that Japan-made products are contaminated with radioactive substances, an industry body said Monday.

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, each automaker checked radiation levels on the hood, tires and in the interior of about 10 randomly selected sample cars per shipment.

The tests, conducted at major ports under the rules set by the association, did not detect levels that could pose a threat to human health, it said.

The association-led safety inspections follow growing concerns overseas that Japanese automobiles may be tainted with radiation due to ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Japan’s automakers said no radioactive substances had been found in their own tests, but decided to launch the unified measure to guarantee the safety of Japanese cars industry-wide.