Japan regulator to weigh possible law revisions in wake of Takata recalls

TOKYO, Jan 16 (Reuters) : Japanese Transport Minister Akihiro Ohta said on Friday his ministry was considering whether to revise existing laws to beef up oversight of auto parts suppliers in the wake of massive recalls of auto parts maker Takata Corp's air bags.

"Until now, we have been getting reports from automakers but since this is a major issue with great impact I would like to consider whether we need to revise the vehicle law or not," Ohta told reporters at a regular briefing on Friday.

The spate of Takata-related recalls - more than 20 million cars have been recalled worldwide over faulty air bags - has brought regulatory oversight under scrutiny both in the United States and Japan.

Under current rules, Japan's auto regulator relies heavily on automakers to initiate investigation of any problems at their parts suppliers, while legal provisions prevent the transport ministry from investigating the supplier directly.

Ohta said ministry officials have daily meetings to deal with developments in the Takata air bag recalls. But he noted that critics have complained that Takata had not provided enough information to regulators on the issue.