The irregularities were also found in applications from Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha Motor, the Ministry said. The automakers were found to have submitted incorrect or manipulated safety test data when they applied for certification of the vehicles.

The Ministry ordered Toyota, Mazda and Yamaha to suspend shipments of some vehicles. It said it will conduct an on-site inspection at Toyota's central Aichi prefecture headquarters on Tuesday.

The latest revelations came after the ministry requested automakers in late January to investigate certification applications following a safety test scandal at Toyota's Daihatsu compact car unit that emerged last year.

--Reuters--