The sales volume of new cars in Japan increased 0.7 percent in 2018 to 5,272,067 units compared to the previous year, mainly due to brisk minicar sales, which neutralized declining of other categories, industry data revealed Monday.

Mini-vehicle sales amounted to 1,924,124 units in 2018, up 4.4 percent, according to the statistics released by the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association.

Sales of cars other than mini-vehicles stood at 3,347,943 units, down 1.3 percent, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.

A series of scandals in the Japanese auto industry has impaled the sales, such as the ongoing investigation on former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn over alleged financial misconduct, and vehicle recalls due to improper inspections of some manufacturers.