Research Activities

Comprehensive approach to motor vehicle issues

  • Automotive Type Approval Test Department

    The NTSEL is the only organization in Japan that impartially conducts type approval testing of motor vehicles in compliance with regulations based on the automotive type designation system. The Automotive Type Approval Test Department prevents the production and distribution of motor vehicles which does not comply with regulations throughout the ensure implementation of type approval testing, contributing to ensure the safety of citizen and protection of the environment.

  • Automobile Recall Technical Verification
    Department

    To ensure greater safety and security for automobile users, the Department verifies technical issues, especially whether the causes of defects are in the design or manufacturing process and contributes to make recalls promptly and thoroughly.

  • Environmental Research Department

    The Environmental Research Department contributes to fighting environmental pollution by conducting research to assist the development of vehicle regulations and improve testing methods to help solve various environmental issues and respond to increasingly sophisticated and complex environmental regulations and technologies.

  • 02

    Automotive Safety Research Department

    The Automotive Safety Research Department contributes to the realization of a safe and secure society by reducing safety risks in vehicle traffic through the development of future safety regulations and technical evaluation methods in response to increasingly sophisticated and complex new technologies, such as automated driving systems, and research on motor vehicle safety from the perspective of drivers and pedestrians.

  • Director for Information and
    CommunicationTechnology Research

    With the recent development of information and telecommunications technology, vehicle systems have become highly digital , connected vehicles are spreading, and the use of such functions is progressing, making cybersecurity a critical issue. We conduct broad research on a range of such ICT issues, from both aspects of safety and the environment.

Efforts to Ensure International Cooperation

  • Director for International Harmonization
    Promotion

    To support the Japanese government’s efforts, the NTSEL joins a variety of meetings organized under UN-ECE/WP29 and actively proposes regulations and test procedures making best use of the results of its studies and type approval tests, and based on Japanese advanced automobile technology.

  • 04

    Railway Certification Center

    In 2012, the Railway Certification Center was accredited as the first Japanese certification body in railway sector for conformity with international standards.
    Through the certification activities based on ISO/IEC 17065 for conformity assessment, the Department contributes to international deployment of railway products and technologies.

Initiatives for Local Transport, etc.

  • 03

    Traffic System Research Department

    To help ensure the safety, security, and stable operation of railways, light rail transits (LRTs), and other transportation systems, the Department explores cost-effective and safe accident prevention solutions, conducting technical assessments of new systems and vehicles in view of domestic and international trends. The Department also tackles issues surrounding the overall safety and environment of land transportation, by evaluating the benefits and environmental implications of introducing public transportation optimized to the local situation.

Research Facilities