Mitsubishi Motors president to resign over mileage scandal

Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki speaks during a press conference in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Japanese automaker Suzuki apologized for improper road tests on some of its models but denies it illegally falsified mileage numbers. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki, center, bows with president Toshihiro Suzuki, right, and vice president Osamu Honda during a press conference in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

Suzuki Motor Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Osamu Suzuki listens to a reporter's question during a press conference in Tokyo, Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Japanese automaker Suzuki apologized for improper road tests on some of its models but denies it illegally falsified mileage numbers. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) (The Associated Press)

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. President Testuro Aikawa is stepping down to take responsibility for the mileage cheating scandal unfolding at the Japanese automaker.

Aikawa told reporters at the transport ministry Wednesday he will see through the investigation of the scandal, which surfaced last month.

He appeared with Mitsubishi Chairman Osamu Masuko, who helped engineered a deal with Japanese rival Nissan Motor Co., to take a 34 percent stake in Mitsubishi for 237 billion yen ($2.2 billion). Mitsubishi stock had plunged more than 30 percent after the scandal.

Nissan found the faked mileage tests because of a discrepancy with its own tests on Mitsubishi-manufactured minicar models with tiny engines that had been sold under the Nissan brand.

Mitsubishi says rigging goes back 25 years, and may involve all models, including discontinued ones.