Mitsubishi Motors President Steps Down,

Photograph: Shizuo Kambayashi/AP

The president of Mitsubishi Motors Tetsuro Aikawa is stepping down to take responsibility amid a fuel economy scandal that surfaced in April, leaving CEO Osamu Masuko to fill his post unitl the deal between Mitsubishi and Nissan Motor Co. is completed. This deal will see Nissan acquire the controlling stake in Mitsubishi. 

Mitsubishi said in April that it overstated the fuel economy ratings of four minicar models sold in Japan.The bogus fuel economy results were discovered when Nissan noticed discrepancies and called Mitsubishi out on it. Tetsuro Aikawa, who became the company’s president and chief operating officer in June 2014, denied any personal involvement in the scandal.

His resignation is expected to take effect on 24 June, once it is approved by shareholders.