Cablegate: Tokyo Media Reaction - Toyota Recalls

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STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR,
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USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE;
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PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA
SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - TOYOTA RECALLS

1. LEAD STORIES: Most Thursday morning papers gave top
or front-page play to a Congressional hearing that
started on Wednesday morning to examine Toyota's recent
recalls.

2. "Calm and Fair Treatment Needed at Congressional
Hearing on Toyota" The conservative Sankei
editorialized (2/25): "It cannot be denied that the
U.S. Congressional hearing on Toyota's recent massive
recalls took the form of a 'political show' that was
intended to appeal to the American public.... Toyota
Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. President Lentz offered an
apology at the hearing for the delay in the company's
issuance of recalls and expressed Toyota's intention to
reinforce security measures in order to prevent a
recurrence. This is the first step toward restoring
confidence in Toyota. The automaker needs to take every
possible opportunity to provide a full explanation,
including President Toyoda's testimony at the hearing
on February 24. We would like to renew our call on the
U.S. government and Congress to conduct a calm and fair
investigation and handle the matter in a constructive
manner."

ROOS

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