Car maker Mitsubishi Motors has admitted its employees have falsified data on emissions tests for light vehicles.

The president of the Japanese motoring giant has told a media briefing in Tokyo an unspecified number of its cars have failed fuel tests.

About 625,000 Mitsubishi-produced cars are believed to be affected, including some vehicles it makes for Nissan.

The revelations follow the Volkswagen emissions scandal last year, and the Hyundai and Kia emission scandal the previous year.

Shares in Mitsubishi Motors have fallen more than 15 per cent in anticipation of the announcement.