Minister urges Toyota to be honest

Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara has called on Toyota to face up to its responsibilities at this week's US Congress hearing. Zheng Junfeng brings us the latest on the auto giant's woes.

The Japanese Transport Minister urged Toyota to be honest when it fronts a probe into unintended acceleration problems. He stressed that Toyota must cooperate with the US panel, given the company's firm footing in the world's largest economy.

Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara said, "Toyota is not only a Japanese company, but also a US company. Its subcontractors are very much rooted in the US. In that respect, Toyota should be aware of its responsibilities as part of the American economy, and face the hearing earnestly and sincerely."

Akio Toyoda, grandson of the founder of Toyota, is scheduled to testify before the US House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday.

Toyota's acceleration problems have been officially linked to at least five American deaths, and suspected in 29 other fatalities.

The Minister added that the Toyota issue has triggered a re-examination of Japan's recall system.

Seiji Maehara said, "A company is required to propose a recall before it can be approved. In the meantime, we need to strengthen the information gathering process. We need manufacturers to report even the slightest defects to either the Transport Ministry or the Consumer Agency."

Toyota recently revealed it faces a criminal investigation after a US congressional panel accused it of making misleading statements. The statements regarded the company's handling of the safety problems that led to massive vehicle recalls,

In a preview of the line he could take in his testimony, Toyoda said in a statement he was committed to ensuring the car maker learned from the crisis and changed its ways.