We Got the Video—Inside the Osaka Expo’s Chinese Bus Control Failure Scandal

The steering failed, and the vehicle crashed into the median strip

On September 1, an unprecedented and unbelievable collision occurred involving an on-demand bus operated by OM Taxi, a subsidiary of Osaka Metro. The author obtained dashcam footage that captured both the driver’s behavior and the bus’s movements at the time.

Although the driver tried to steer left to avoid the crash, the bus instead veered right and slammed into the median strip before finally coming to a stop. During questioning, the driver stated that the steering didn’t respond, and anyone who watches the footage can clearly see that this testimony is true.

However, according to an insider at EV Motors Japan (EVMJ) — the company that sold the bus — the conclusion reached at an internal meeting held shortly after the accident was shocking:

“Despite the driver’s testimony and video evidence from the onboard camera, the company decided that the cause of the accident was not a vehicle defect, but rather the driver’s inattentive driving. That was the official report circulated internally.”

This wasn’t the only accident involving the company this year. On April 28, a shuttle bus returning to the depot at the Maishima Expo Park & Ride parking area for the Osaka-Kansai Expo grazed a concrete retaining wall.

EVMJ issued a press release reporting the results of its investigation, concluding that the fault lay with the external autonomous driving system and that there were no defects in the EV bus itself. However, according to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there have also been reports of vehicle-related issues — such as malfunctioning doors and sudden emergency stops while driving.

EVMJ’s repeated responses, which could be seen as concealing the true causes of accidents and submitting false reports, are unacceptable for a company that sells public transportation vehicles used daily by people of all ages.

So, what kind of company is EVMJ?

Based in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, EV Motors Japan was established on April 1, 2019. The startup primarily imports and sells electric buses manufactured by three Chinese companies — WISDOM, Hengtian, and Aizhonghe. In 2022, despite having virtually no domestic sales record, it drew attention after receiving an order for 100 EV buses (later increased to 150) to be used at and around the Osaka-Kansai Expo site.

Since then, EVMJ has rapidly expanded its market share nationwide. By the end of March 2025, the number of buses in operation is expected to exceed 300. Major Japanese operators such as Hankyu Bus, Iyotetsu Bus, Fujikyu Bus, and Tokyu Bus have already adopted the company’s EV buses.

However, reports of malfunctions have also been alarmingly frequent. Numerous cases have been documented — including mechanical failures, brake component detachments, and even fractures or separations of critical safety parts — revealing a shocking pattern of defects.

Unable to ensure passengers’ safety: a driver reveals their concerns

The EV buses contracted by Chikugo City in Fukuoka Prefecture, which had gained attention as the first domestic EV school buses, were plagued with issues even during testing prior to their April introduction. Within just two weeks of operation, all four buses were taken out of service. After inspections and repairs, service resumed in early June, but on the very same day, a problem occurred with the automatic door sensors, forcing the buses back to EVMJ’s headquarters. On October 1, the contract was canceled, and all buses in the city were replaced with diesel vehicles.

Even Iyotetsu Bus, headquartered in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, which has purchased over 20 EVMJ buses and boasts the largest number of units in operation, has reported numerous malfunctions.

The steering failure video mentioned earlier occurred amid these ongoing issues. Following these troubles, Osaka Metro bus drivers have voiced serious concerns:

“We’ve repeatedly experienced rain leaks, AC malfunctions, and doors that won’t open or close. Rainwater has even entered from underneath, carried by the tires. Screws and inspection covers have fallen off while driving. On inclines, while waiting to turn right, or even in the middle of intersections, buses have suddenly stopped and needed to be towed.

We’ve repeatedly asked Osaka Metro for a full inspection to ensure passenger safety, but our requests were ignored. Until the September 1 accident, when the steering failed and the bus collided with the median strip.”

In light of this, on September 5, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism made a startling announcement: all EVMJ buses delivered nationwide, including those for the Expo, must undergo a full inspection.

However, doubts remain about whether these inspections will be properly carried out. An industry insider explained:

“Even when abnormalities are found during inspections, EVMJ reportedly submits reports to clients stating no issues. We’ve compared the completed inspection checklists held by EVMJ inspectors with the inspection reports submitted to Osaka Metro at both Osaka City Bus and OM Taxi, and the discrepancies are clear. It’s highly likely that the Ministry will also be told no issues. There’s a strong possibility that similar false reporting occurs with buses owned by other operators as well.”

Importing electric buses from Chinese manufacturers as-is

Why were these highly defective EV buses adopted in such large numbers for the Expo, with a single company monopolizing the supply? Part of the answer lies in the widespread misconception that they were domestically produced. On April 15, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura (62) posted on X:

“We were concerned that Osaka bus companies were introducing Chinese-made EV buses, so we encouraged the adoption of buses manufactured by Japanese companies. While private transactions cannot be forced, ultimately:

① About 100 shuttle buses within the venue and parking lots were all from EVMJ, a Japanese company. ② Of approximately 100 shuttle buses from Sakurajima Station, about two-thirds were from EVMJ and Isuzu. Overall, about 90% of the buses were manufactured by Japanese companies.”

While EVMJ is indeed a Japanese company, it does not manufacture the buses itself. As noted earlier, the company mainly imports and sells Chinese EV buses. Major components, including inverters, are all produced to Chinese specifications. The Kitakyushu factory, which cost 10 billion yen to complete, only handles installations such as fare boxes, boarding buttons, and destination displays. By this standard, these buses cannot truly be called domestic EV buses.

EVMJ was asked about the September 1 collision with the median strip, its manufacturing process at the Kitakyushu factory, and its response to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s full vehicle inspection. Their response by the deadline was:

“We import completed vehicles in parallel and retrofit them for domestic use. In addition to meeting safety standards, we carry out inspections based on our quality management criteria, perform various safety and performance tests using test courses, and conduct design and development work for EV buses and charging systems.

We are currently investigating the cause of the accident with Osaka Metro. Regarding the full inspection, we are preparing to release an official statement with accurate information once the inspection is completed.”

Meanwhile, JATA, the executing agency for environmental ministry subsidies, issued a notice on September 26 warning to be cautious when applying for subsidies for EVMJ buses, which have frequent malfunctions. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has also decided not to certify some of EVMJ’s buses as non-step buses.

While government agencies are slowly taking action, Osaka Metro and Iyotetsu Bus are still planning to introduce new Chinese-made buses handled by EVMJ within the year. Given the repeated malfunctions, accidents, and drivers reporting that they are too scared to ride, it remains unclear whether these issues are being thoroughly examined.