Toyota halts some shipments as Japan's auto safety scandal widens

Tokyo — A safety test scandal at Japanese automakers widened Monday, with two major companies halting shipments of some vehicles. Japan’s transport ministry found irregularities in applications to certify certain models, leading Toyota Motor and Mazda to suspend shipments. Similar irregularities were also found in applications from Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha Motor. The ministry ordered the automakers to halt shipments of the affected vehicles. The scandal follows a safety test scandal at Toyota’s Daihatsu compact car unit last year. The revelations may affect Toyota’s upcoming annual general meeting, as proxy advisory firms have recommended voting against re-electing Akio Toyoda as chairman.