Japanese auto parts firms, executives indicted by U.S.

Two of the Japanese auto parts companies, Tokai Kogyo Co Ltd and Maruyasu Industries Co Ltd, were indicted on Wednesday concerning price-fixing charges together with 5 executives, the United States Justice Department stated.

The indictments emerged from a long-running worldwide antitrust probe of price-fixing in the automobile parts industry that has actually captured more than 40 firms and 60 individuals.

A federal grand jury in Ohio in one indictment, has alleged Tokai Kogyo and its U.S. subsidiary Green Tokai Co Ltd of rigging bids for vehicle weather removal and other sealing items sold to Honda Motor Co Ltd, the department notes.

Akitada Tazumi, a Tokai Kogyo assistant general manager is also going to face charges.

Independently, Maruyasu Industries Co Ltd and its U.S. subsidiary were charged with rigging bids for steel tubes that automakers use in fuel distribution, braking and other parts of their vehicles, the department stated.

4 Maruyasu sales executives, Tadao Hirade, Satoru Murai, Kazunori Kobayashi and Yoshihiro Shigematsu, likewise face price-fixing charges, the indictment stated.

Neither of the firms or their lawyers have made any comment.