Toyota Motor Corp's president braced for tough questions from a U.S. congressional panel on Wednesday after the Japanese automaker conceded it had let safety standards slip and could still not explain most incidents of unintended acceleration.
Barack Obama | Japan
President Akio Toyoda again apologized for safety issues that have led to the recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles, been blamed for at least five deaths and set off fierce criticism of both the world's largest automaker and U.S. regulators.
Toyoda's congressional hearing and the car maker's deepening woes are also front page news in Japan, where politicians are publicly expressing worries over the potential impact on economic growth, exports and the country's overall image.
It has also dented the attractiveness of the stock market, according to a Reuters poll of retail investors.
"We pursued growth over the speed at which we were able to develop our people and our organization, and we should sincerely be mindful of that," Toyoda said in written testimony ahead of his appearance on Wednesday.
On the first day of congressional hearings, Rhonda Smith, driver of a Toyota Lexus in a 2006 incident where her car reached 100 mph, said she felt Toyota and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had dismissed her belief that the vehicle's electronics were to blame.
"Shame on you, Toyota, for being so greedy. And shame on you, NHTSA, for not doing your job," a tearful Smith told a panel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
LOST SIGHT OF CUSTOMER
Tuesday's hearing was mostly measured in tone.
Toyoda, grandson of Toyota's founder, may not fare as well before the often more vocal House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday. That hearing is due to begin at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).
The tough stance taken by U.S. politicians has triggered mixed feelings among many Japanese.
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