Katsuhiko Kawasoe, the 69-year old former head of Mitsubishi Motors Corp in Japan, was arrested by Japanese police today.

He was one of five arrested on suspicion of professional negligence in connection with the death of a truck driver two years ago.

Kawasoe headed Mitsubishi until 4-years ago. In 2000 he resigned after hidden safety records were uncovered detailing undeclared vehicle defects.

In a statement, the restructured motor manufacturer said it takes this matter very seriously and intends to co-operate fully in the investigation into the accident.

It is the second bout of arrests to involve Mitsubishi executives in a matter of weeks. Last week, several Mitsubishi executives were arrested in connection with the death of a woman who had been hit by a wheel which came off a Mitsubishi Fuso truck in 2002.