Japan’s car dealer to step down over insurance fraud

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japan’s Big Motor President Hiroyuki Kaneshige said Tuesday he will resign amid accusations of over-pricing and intentionally damaging cars.

The allegations of cheating, which include fraud insurance claims, against the used car dealer have triggered public outrage in the country.

Kaneshige’s announcement comes as Japan’s Transport Ministry is expected to conduct probe in the matter on Wednesday -- the day when Kaneshige will step down, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

"We've caused so much trouble and concern to customers and nonlife insurance companies. I am truly sorry," said Kaneshige, 71, who is also the dealership’s founder.

Around thousand cases of cheating had come to fore which led Kaneshige to apologize.

A third-party investigation revealed that employees “deliberately scratched cars with screwdrivers,” thus causing losses to the car owners.