Govt frets over Toyota impact on Japan

Corporate Japan must learn from Toyota's safety woes to prevent broader damage to the export-reliant economy, the government said Thursday after the carmaker's chief endured a US congressional grilling.

"What occurred to this manufacturer, which represents Japan, could have an impact on the image of Japanese-made products," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Masayuki Naoshima told reporters.

"I hope other manufacturers learn from Toyota's experience and take this as an opportunity to reform their response to consumers," he said. Hours after the Washington appearance by Toyota president Akio Toyoda, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said he expected the company "to pay full attention to safety ... because it concerns people's lives".

"It is good that the president himself appeared and testified in Congress. But it doesn't mean it has put an end to the issue," he cautioned.

Toyoda formally apologised before angry US lawmakers for the auto defects that have driven the world's biggest carmaker into crisis, and vowed to rebuild shattered faith in the firm.

Toyota has been forced to recall some eight million vehicles worldwide, as three US congressional panels investigate incidents of sudden unintended acceleration blamed for more than 30 US deaths. Tokyo, AFP