Japan officials want Toyota to restore confidence

By KELLY OLSEN

TOKYO

Japanese Cabinet ministers called Tuesday for Toyota to use high-profile congressional hearings in Washington to restore consumer confidence in the key U.S. market.

Top Toyota officials were scheduled to answer questions from committees in the House of Representatives beginning later Tuesday. Akio Toyoda, Toyota's president and grandson of the company founder, is scheduled to appear Wednesday.

The world's top automaker is facing an unprecedented crisis over its massive recalls of vehicles due to defects involving floor mats, gas pedals and brakes that have called into question its reputation for quality and safety honed over decades.

"Toyota is a company that has always put safety first," Trade Minister Masayuki Naoshima told reporters after a Cabinet meeting. "I hope its explanation will help the U.S. public understand this."

Naoshima also said that Toyota must ease concerns among American consumers.

"Regaining trust is the most important thing for Toyota," he said.

Separately, comments by Transport Minister Seiji Maehara, who oversees Japan's auto industry, emphasized that Toyota is not just a Japanese company and plays a major role in the United States.

"I want Toyota to respond sincerely on all matters with the awareness that it is an American company and has a responsibility to the economy as well as for life and safety in the United States," he also told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a hearing Tuesday while the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee follows Wednesday. A Senate committee is planning a March 2 inquiry.

The hearings have taken on a new dimension after Toyota disclosed Monday that federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Toyota Motor Corp.'s safety problems and the Securities and Exchange Commission was probing what the automaker told investors.

Toyota Motor Corp. has issued recalls for 8.5 million vehicles since October, including for its popular hybrid Prius. The company, criticized over perceptions of foot-dragging and unclear explanations, has responded with a series of apologies by Toyoda and vows to improve its quality controls and publicize defects even when it is not required to by law.

Maehara also said that Japan needs to rethink its system for how auto companies report defects in light of the Toyota recalls.

"I think it is highly possible that Toyota did not provide information fully to the government," he said. "We want auto companies to report any information, even if it's a small thing. We are considering how we can ensure that."

----

Associated Press Writer Shino Yuasa contributed to this report.