Toyota and Mazda top marques but monthly sales down on previous year.

In contrast, the number of new vehicles is soaring from the previous month.

New-vehicle registrations nosedived by almost one-quarter.

Japan increases its market share as more used cars come into country.

August’s Covid-19 restrictions put brakes on recovery.

Registrations of new vehicles tumbled by 15.8 per cent last month.

Growing populations blamed for pollution from cars increasing.

Sales figures continue steady climb since the Covid-19 lockdown, but latest monthly tally is below last July’s results.