InfoAnda - Toyota chief's tears win over forgiving Japan

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Sprint plans range of embedded devices for holidays | | 17 June 2010
China snubs Japan PM over boat row | 21 September 2010
India's Ranbaxy's Q2 profit soars but sees year loss | 25 July 2009

A look at North Korea's nuclear program | 25 April 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Toyota chief's tears win over forgiving Japan

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Singapore Asia Pacific World Toyota chief's tears win over forgiving Japan By YURI KAGEYAMA,AP Business Writer - Friday, February 26 Send IM Story Print TOKYO – He hasn't bowed in apology. He hasn't resigned. But this week Toyota President Akio Toyoda did perform one of the typical rituals of a Japanese executive under attack: He wept publicly. The image of Toyoda choking up during a meeting with American dealers is winning accolades in Japan, a society that has always had a soft spot for such displays of emotion. The footage was broadcast over and over on TV news Thursday. Toyoda, 53, was barely able to finish his sentences at the meeting with dozens of Toyota dealers in Washington _ a far more receptive crowd than the skeptical American lawmakers who had grilled him about the automaker's safety lapses and massive recalls at a congressional hearing. A photo of his sobbing face was on the front page of the evening editions of the Yomiuri and Tokyo Shimbun newspapers. "Toyota president offers apology, thanks, tears," said a headline in the Asahi. "People are going to feel sorry for him because he had to go through a theatrical ordeal overseas, a very unusual situation for a Japanese executive," said Kuniyoshi Shirai, executive adviser at A.C.E. Consulting in Tokyo. Japanese protocol for corporate chiefs under fire usually starts with a deep bow, perhaps a resignation to take responsibility _ both of which Toyoda skipped _ and sometimes sobbing. A show of heartfelt remorse goes a long way in consensus-oriented Japan, where intentions, not just results, carry meaning. While tears would be a sign of weakness for an American executive, the Japanese public are swayed by emotions because empathy for a weak person is valued as an honorable trait, says Tatsumi Tanaka, president of Risk Hedge, a consultant for major companies. "It's a special Japanese aesthetic," he said. "It's a virtue to acknowledge one's mistakes and mend one's ways, and crying is seen as a symbol of that." Even with rigid social definitions of femininity as a soft dependence and masculinity as a stoic silence, high-profile men crying in public draws not only surprise but also favorable reviews. Athletes and other male celebrities often win extra marks from public weeping _ in circumstances such as winning an Olympic medal or mourning death in the family. The most memorable case in the history of Japan Inc. by far was Shohei Nozawa, once president of Yamaichi Securities Co., who outright bawled at a news conference when his brokerage went bankrupt in 1997, and begged the public to show mercy to his employees. In Japan, he was widely praised as an ideal executive. The tears were a little more subdued for Toyoda after his appearance at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. He had initially delegated testifying to his top U.S. executive but decided to attend after getting a formal invitation and amid media criticism. "At the hearing, I was not alone. You and your colleagues across America, around the world, were with me," he said in English to the Toyota dealers, shaking his head and his face scrunching up as the crowd broke into applause. Later, when a dealer told him they stood behind him, Toyoda was so overcome with emotion he practically broke down and cried. Keiko Hamada, a 56-year-old college official, found it touching. "I'm so worried about him. As a Japanese, I was so moved," she said. "As one Japanese, I'm rooting for Toyota." Japan is increasingly nervous about Toyota Motor Corp.'s unfolding recall crisis, which has ballooned to more than 8.5 million cars being fixed for faulty gas pedals, floor mats and antilock braking. Concerns are growing that electronic glitches, still relatively new turf for the industry, may be behind the cases of unintended acceleration that have led to deaths and horror stories of runaway cars on highways. Toyoda's appearance before Congress was a top news item for major Japanese broadcasters. News shows, including those on public broadcaster NHK, showed clips of Toyoda reading introductory remarks in English and answering questions from lawmakers described as "tough." A colorful Fuji TV morning show, which mixes entertainment and social news, characterized Toyoda as the "prince under attack," a reference to his almost royal status as grandson of the company's founder. Some analysts gave Toyoda passing marks for his performance. "By Japanese standards, he was doing his best," said Ryoichi Shinozaki, a crisis management expert at Kyodo Public Relations Co., noting Toyoda at least avoided blatant gaffes. "He answered the questions, and he appeared comfortable." But the company's crisis is deepening because of possible defects in the electronic throttle, new investigations by federal authorities and concerns there may be cover-ups, according to Shinozaki. "The problems aren't going away," he said after watching the hearing on TV. "The hearing is over, but the crisis is only getting more serious." Tears and apologies will only get him so far in Japan and possibly prove disastrous in the U.S. in the long run. Even in Japan, sentiments are fickle, and an outpouring of sympathy can turn to hostility in a flash. In recent weeks, Toyoda has earned a new nickname that highlights a growing perception of ineptitude in handling the recall fiasco _ "child president," a sarcastic reference to Toyota's Japanese TV ads that feature a popular child actor billed as "child dealer." The moniker also takes a stab at Toyoda's privileged status as heir of a well-to-do family. "Japanese public opinion is cruel and can shift in an instant," Shirai said. "For the U.S., an apology isn't going to be enough. As management, he needed to present specific measures." ___ Associated Press writer Kelly Olsen contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Palm cuts revenue outlook on weak phone sales Reuters - 2 hours 35 minutes ago Toyota's Inaba will testify in US Senate on safety Reuters - 2 hours 37 minutes ago ADR Report-Euro-zone concerns hurt banks, pushing ADRs lower Reuters - 2 hours 53 minutes ago Mitsubishi boosts UK offshore wind power hopes Reuters - 2 hours 55 minutes ago China may be hiding US Treasury bond purchases: experts AFP - 2 hours 56 minutes ago News Search Top Stories EADS accepts A400M financing offer: France Environmental disaster looms after River Po oil spill EU budget chief to enforce Greek cuts Weekly US jobless claims jump to three-month high Pressure mounts on Israel over Hamas killing More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Killer whale drowns trainer in SeaWorld Date-rape drugs, illegal online pharmacies on rise Dubai hunts 15 new Western suspects over Hamas hit GM to end Hummer as deal with Chinese firm fails Tearful Toyota chief says sorry for auto defects More Most Viewed » Third-hand smoke also bad for you: study DNA reveals some mystery on King Tut, raises questions Pitt, Jolie sue British paper over split claims Sugary soft drinks linked to pancreatic cancer: study Scientists recreate Big Bang heat of 4 tln degrees C More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 26 February 2010
Pressure mounts on Israel over Hamas killing
Environmental disaster looms after River Po oil spill
Palm cuts revenue view on weak phone sales
EADS accepts A400M financing offer: France
Turk president urges calm after crisis talks
Vitamin B3 May Help With Stroke Recovery
EU budget chief to enforce Greek cuts
Skipper unveils world's biggest solar-powered boat
Clashes erupt in West Bank town over holy sites
Indonesian student prosecuted over Facebook insult
Article not found
Cablevision to roll out network-DVR in April
Syria and Iran defy Clinton in show of unity
Greece May See Debt Downgrade Due To Deficit Worries
Weekly US jobless claims jump to three-month high
Bloom Energy unveils fuel cell of the future
Libya's Gaddafi urges jihad against Switzerland |
Mexican Drug Lord Sentenced To 25 Years, Ordered To Forfeit $50 Million In Illicit Profits
Iran, Syria shrug off US call to weaken alliance
Pressure mounts on Israel over Hamas killing
Only plastic between Haiti homeless and storms |
Pentagon Opens Bidding For Controversial Tanker Contract
"Old Man" Could Face Jail Time For Bank Heists ? Again
University Rapist Allowed To Stay In School
"Real Time With Bill Maher" Returns To HBO February 26
Twenty-one dead, 50 hurt in Bangladesh factory fire |
New Report Predicts Average House Price Will Continue To Drop
Coca-Cola To Acquire North Amercan Unit Of Bottler CCE
Juarez drug capo's turf war feeds Mexico bloodshed |
Iran, Syria leaders brush aside US call to weaken alliance
India, Pakistan take 'first step' to rebuild broken trust
Obama, Republicans clash at health summit
Row simmers at US health reform summit
China faces balancing act in Iran nuclear issue
Palm cuts revenue outlook on weak phone sales |
Myanmar court to rule Friday on Suu Kyi appeal
Japan says willing to sign treaty on child abduction
Cambodia court warns lawyers for KRouge leader
Ex-Guantanamo inmate can sue Australia over 'torture'
Philippines claims third militant scalp
N.Korea blasts war games amid bid to revive nuclear talks
Zheng loses to Chang at Malaysia Open tennis
China may be hiding US Treasury bond purchases: experts
IMF delays loan tranche to Sri Lanka
Mitsubishi signs British wind turbine deal: government
Toyota chief's tears win over forgiving Japan
India invites bidders for long-delayed 3G auction
Suzuki, Nissan, Daihatsu announce recalls in Japan
Tata unit gets $519 bln 'clean technology' car loan
Honda launches sporty hybrid, vows to keep quality
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $14.37 bln
US Congress poised to approve tourism boost
'Do you speak Deutsch?': Germany acts to promote language
Radiohead's Thom Yorke names new band Atoms For Peace |
A Minute With: Disney's John Lasseter creating Oscar magic
Odeon, Disney agree deal over 'Alice In Wonderland'
Official: Climate change treaty unlikely this year
US-TECH Summary
Taliban suicide attack kills 14 in Afghan capital
England clarifies law on assisted suicide
'Avatars' can make us better people: study
Taliban attacks in central Kabul kill 14 |
Senior suspects released in Turkey coup probe
Huge explosion shakes Afghan capital: witnesses
Apple board re-elected as company sits on its cash
Italian court throws out case against Berlusconi lawyer
China may be hiding US Treasury bonds: experts
Cuba struggles to preserve past in hard times |
RBS shares rally after earnings improve
'Zombies' have free speech rights too, US court rules
McCain Fails To Outgrow Presidential Campaign Animosity
Giant iceberg breaks off from Antarctic glacier |
U.S. says does not seek crippling sanctions on Iran
Microsoft uses law to cripple hacker spam network
Thailand on edge ahead of Thaksin wealth verdict |
Woman Chronicles Abortion On Twitter, YouTube
Absent Ashton under fire from EU defence ministers
Florida killer whale to stay in park after deadly attack
Turkey hopes releases head off crisis with military |
Growing fury at Dubai killing reaches Australia
Congressmen Propose Lifting Embargo Of Cuba For U.S. Farm Products
Obama health summit heals few divides
Myanmar court rejects Suu Kyi appeal: court witness |
U.S. Markets Hit By Jobs Data, Despite Late Rally Still Closed Down
Virtual reality games may help stroke victims recover: study
Israel plans more homes for East Jerusalem: report |
MTA Fare Hike May Follow Layoffs, Service Cuts
Haiti aid effort marred by slow U.N. response |
Rihanna, Justin Bieber First Confirmed "Kids Choice Awards" Performers
Australian PM demotes former rock star Garrett |
Ivory Coast announces new electoral commission |
US Congress extends anti-terrorism laws
Flawless Kim wins Olympic women's title
Apple's Jobs says cash hoard allows for bold moves |
US open to peace talks with North Korea
Obama warns Republicans he will pass health care
Indonesian police: suspected smuggler tricked us
Mossad regularly faked Australian passports: ex-agent
Appeal for Myanmar's Suu Kyi release rejected
Taliban claims responsibility for Kabul attacks
Afghan police: 7 die in series of blasts in Kabul
Global Weather-Celsius
Afghan official: 7 dead in Kabul bombing attacks
Hollywood stars, royalty at 'Alice in Wonderland' premiere
S.Korea relishes bigger world role as G20 chair
Battered Japan Airlines to release new figures
Indian growth slow in last quarter of 2009
Air China, Cathay Pacific plan cargo joint venture
Japan factory output rises for 11th straight month
Japan output rises, deflation threatens recovery
Nintendo to launch bigger console in Europe, US next month
Baghdad printers working flat out ahead of Iraq polls
'Little Big Soldier' innovative vehicle for Chan
PAKISTAN
Corrected: Police find body thought to be actor Andrew Koenig
Burton's "Alice" update a wonder to behold
Police find body thought to be actor Andrew Koenig |
S.Korean bonds edge down on data, regulation talk
Record company EMI files "Down Under" royalties appeal
Whitney Houston dismisses critics, says tour going well |
Sting to tour with Royal Philharmonic
Black Eyed Peas make history again on U.S. chart |
Batman comic fetches $1.075 million, rewrites record
Batman comic fetches $1.075 million, rewrites record |
Hollywood stars, royalty at 'Alice in Wonderland' premiere
Fendi's Lagerfeld colours Milan
Radiohead's Thom Yorke names new band Atoms For Peace
Sting to tour with Royal Philharmonic |
Burton's Alice update a wonder to behold |
Woman sues rapper 50 Cent over sex tape |
Aerosmith, singer end feud for European tour |
British economic growth data revised upwards
Isolated Australia in social networking craze
UN to review controversial climate panel
Lloyds bank suffers 2009 loss as bad debts rocket
Lloyds bank posts major losses
Sade Remains At #1 On Billboard Albums Chart For Second Week
Dubai cameras shine light on killers' dark arts |
Hezbollah chief meets Ahmadinejad in Damascus
Booted "Idol" Contest Chris Golightly Sings The Blues At Press Conference
Inked deals lull oil firms, but Iraq risks remain
BBC to slash website, cut radio and imports
UN expected to renew call for Gaza 'war crimes' probe
Greek PM to visit Germany, seeks EU solidarity |
26 dead in Timbuktu mosque stampede |
Lebanon arrests six suspected of spying for Israel |
Israel won't drag Palestinians to violence: Fayyad |
Cynicism in both India and Pakistan after talks |
End to bickering urged to achieve new climate pact
Philippines to lower prices on more medicines
Suicide bombers strike in heart of Kabul; 17 dead
Old story is similar to Ala. prof's Mass. shooting
India says up to 9 citizens killed in Afghanistan
Killed trainer's childhood much like SeaWorld show
Thai court seizes $1.4 bln of Thaksin family wealth
NY gov hurt by scandal, no support but plows ahead
China, Kenya to search for ancient Chinese wrecks
Two huge icebergs let loose off Antarctica's coast
Fire races through Bangladesh factory; 21 dead
Snowstorm in Northeast, rain pounds New England
US, Israeli defense chiefs discuss Iran sanctions
Northeast Winter Storm Batters Residents, Causes Delays, NY Death
Thai court to rule on ex-leader Thaksin's wealth
Myanmar court rejects Suu Kyi's appeal for release
Shakira Hooks Up With Rafael Nadal For Latest Video "Gypsy"
"Doctor Who" Premieres April 17 On BBC America
Daughter Witnesses Parents' Murder Suicide
Aerosmith Bury The Hatchet, Announce European Tour
Georgia Man Becomes 10 Billionth iTunes Downloader
Single Engine Plane Crash Leaves Flight Instructor Dead, Student Grappling With Serious Injuries
Bradley Cooper Drops Out Of "War" For Another "Hangover"
Marcia Gay Harden To Co-Host Aspen Film's Oscar Party
Researcher Finds Taxing Unhealthy Food Works Better To Encourage Healthy Eating
Jaguar, Land Rover sales boost India's Tata Motors
India tackles deficit in budget
China stress tests strong currency impact: media
China's Yanchang to explore for Thai gas, oil
German wind power firm to withdraw from Taiwan
South Korea apartment prices rise this week
Seoul shares rise; Hynix, KB Financial retreat
Japan factory output rises, retail sales gain
Hopes fade for Indonesian landslide survivors
State-owned film studio eyes Shanghai listing
3-D films face new test with Burton's Wonderland |
Ryan Reynolds, Nicolas Cage voice "Croods" cartoon
Black Eyed Peas make history again on U.S. chart |
EMI files "Down Under" royalties appeal
Hollywood North readies for Bollywood West role |
Three "ER" alumni cast in pilots
"Crazies" director crazy for genre movies
Slamming the brakes on Games danger-seekers
Crazies director crazy for genre movies |
Three ER alumni cast in pilots |
Record company appeals Men At Work rip-off ruling
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01