At the meeting Mitsubishi Motors gave an interim report on its extended investigation into information pertaining to quality issues in the past. Comments offered by committee members include:

• Make sure you disclose everything on August 26 regarding your investigations announced on June 2.
• You should clearly explain how you went about your in-depth investigation.
• It is only natural that you dig up everything from the past to redeem yourself. What is more important, though, is how you will establish a steadfast system to deal with defects in the future. You should learn from the current problems and put a stricter process in place to determine recalls.
• You have investigated the situation to the best of your ability. I think you can declare an end to the investigations at this stage.

Following the interim report, the company explained the structure of its ongoing investigation into the cause of the recall problems and outlined the main points of the investigation. The committee commented that the company should use the results of the internal investigations and gather information externally to help establish a framework to ensure a similar situation never occurs again.

Committee member Kazuko Miyamoto reported before the meeting that she had received a suggestion for a consumer group to visit the company's Okazaki plant to view the production process and talk with workers on ensuring safety and users' needs. All members agreed this would be a good idea and directed the company organize a visit.

The next meeting will be held on September 6.

Noboru Matsuda
Business Ethics Committee Chairman