JAMA Takes on Concerns Over Radiation

Global concerns about spreading radiation from Japan’s stricken nuclear reactors are being confronted head on by the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Assn.

JAMA Chairman Toshiyuki Shiga reports that “JAMA has initiated its own procedures to test the radiation levels of vehicles produced in Japan” by tapping into the expertise of an external authority specializing in the field.

Shiga offers reassurances radiation levels recorded in all the areas where JAMA member companies have production bases and at all their shipping ports are not harmful to human health.

“The tests implemented by JAMA, which are conducted directly on various designated areas of the surface of the vehicles, are showing results that fall within the range designated by the Nuclear Safety Commission of Japan as being unthreatening to human health, based on the daily readings performed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in every prefecture since March 25.

“JAMA’s test results are also significantly lower than the maximum allowable limit recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency.”

Shiga, who also is the chief operating officer at Nissan, says JAMA is “entirely confident” vehicles now being produced present “no cause for concern” to buyers in Japan or overseas.