According to a Reuters report, Nissan Motor stated on Monday that it is awaiting the final report from Japan’s antitrust committee. Local media sources suggested that the firm had reduced payments to several subcontracted part manufacturers upon delivery.
NHK, the public broadcaster, reported that the commission will require Nissan to take measures to prevent future underpayments. Nissan refrained from elaborating further on the issue, stating, “We’re currently waiting for final results from the commission.” The company added, “We have already refunded the entire amount of upfront payment received from the supplier.”
NHK also mentioned that the commission discovered Nissan deducted a small percentage from predetermined delivery payments to part manufacturers responsible for items like wheels and tires. Kyodo news agency suggested that this practice might have been ongoing for decades.
Reportedly, roughly 3 billion yen (USD 19.98 million) worth of payments were unlawfully deducted over several years, as per NHK sources familiar with the matter. Japan’s Subcontractor Law prohibits the ordering party from unilaterally reducing payment when the subcontractor is not at fault.