InfoAnda - Japanese ask: Is US backlash behind Toyota woes?

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

WRAPUP 1-South Korean president cements low interest rate view | 31 March 2010
'Life and Death' avoids propaganda, muddles story | 7 May 2009
In bold move, Colorado alters teacher tenure rules | 13 June 2010

The Social Network a true story, twins say | | 24 October 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Japanese ask: Is US backlash behind Toyota woes?

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 Japanese ask: Is US backlash behind Toyota woes? By MARI YAMAGUCHI,Associated Press Writer - Sunday, February 7 Send IM Story Print TOKYO – Despite the criticism of Toyota over car safety, Japanese citizens still largely view the world's largest automaker with pride _ so much so that some people here wonder whether pressure on Toyota in the U.S. is a ploy to boost American auto producers and undermine Japan Inc. "I think the Americans are going overboard," said Hiroyuki Komiya, 40, a Tokyo restaurant employee. "Maybe it's Japan-bashing because the trouble at Toyota, which has the world's No. 1 share, is a big opportunity for its American rivals." That notion may seem far-fetched to the millions of Toyota owners in the United States and around the world whose confidence in the company has made it the world leader _ and are now simply worried about the safety of their cars. The days of irrational fears of Japanese products that emerged during its economic boom of the 1980s are long gone. Toyota, Honda and Sony are some of the most-trusted brands in America. Toyota makes more of its cars and trucks in the U.S. than it imports. Last month it had 14 percent of the U.S. market, third behind General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. Despite Toyota's problems, an ABC News poll taken at the end of January showed that 63 percent of Americans still rated Toyota favorably. The poll also found that 72 percent of respondents saw the gas-pedal problem as an isolated incident and the same percentage said it would have no effect on whether they consider buying a new Toyota. The telephone poll surveyed 1,012 people randomly across the U.S. on Jan. 28-31, before Toyota acknowledged a design flaw in the braking system in its popular Prius hybrid. The poll had a 4-point margin of error. In Japan, public and media reaction to Toyota's problems has been rather muted, largely because there have been no recalls here _ although there have been complaints about the Prius brakes. Some in Japan have criticized Toyota as slow to respond to the safety problems and people acknowledge that the brand _ and Japan's image _ has taken a hit. But the prevailing mood is that Toyota _ the flagship of Japan Inc. _ has been unfairly singled out. "Toyota is so big and famous, so it's an easy target," said Masahiro Yasunaga, a 24-year-old tech company employee. "Its brand image has been hurt, but the media reports are too much." GQ's Web site, for example, drew a parallel between the reversal of fortunes of Toyota and golfer Tiger Woods, whose image has been tarnished by extramarital affairs. Some Japanese suspect U.S. political forces are behind the criticism of Toyota, coming at a time when the U.S. government owns 60.8 percent of General Motors following its bankruptcy reorganization. Others in Japan say Toyota's sheer size made it hard to respond quickly to the crisis, which has involved recalling more than 7 million cars in the U.S., Europe and China over a sticky accelerator and floor mats that can get caught in the gas pedal. "It's typical of a huge corporation, where everything had to go through a lengthy process," said Yumi Sato, 32, an operator of a customer call center. "I kind of sympathize with Toyota." Japanese have periodically worried about the revival of Japan-bashing, which emerged during the country's rise as an export power in the 1980s, when U.S. politicians and automakers accused Japan of unfairly blocking access to its market and stealing American jobs. That has subsided as Japanese companies moved factories to the United States and brands like Honda and Sony grew to be widely accepted by Americans, and as China has eclipsed Japan as the key challenger to U.S. economic supremacy. But Japanese were concerned about a renewal of the sentiment when Toyota passed General Motors as the world's largest automaker in 2008. That is not to say Toyota has escaped criticism at home. Japan's Transport Minister Seiji Maehara, who oversees auto regulation, has urged Toyota to consider a recall for the Prius brake problem and said the automaker needed to pay more heed to vehicle owners. The Nikkei, Japan's leading financial paper, warned that Toyota should resolve the problems quickly _ given that U.S. protectionism is rising, the newspaper contends, as the country heads into mid-term elections. "Foreign manufacturers could come under attack," it said in an editorial. Atsushi Kasai, a 30-year-old real estate agent who drives a 2009 Prius, says he's not worried about possible problems with the brakes. He thinks all the media attention devoted to Toyota reflects its stature in the world economy _ and perhaps a bit of jealousy. "Toyota," he said, "is the Japanese company that is succeeding the most abroad." ___ Associated Press writers Kelly Olsen, Jay Alabaster and Malcolm Foster in Tokyo contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Union vows to press ahead to preserve Conn. jobs AP - Sunday, February 7 Russia Medvedev wants lower lending rates Reuters - Sunday, February 7 Dubai's Shuaa Capital narrows Q4 loss to $42 million Reuters - Sunday, February 7 Nissan to slash production at Spanish plant AFP - Sunday, February 7 Dubai's Shuaa Capital narrows Q4 loss to $42 mln Reuters - Sunday, February 7 News Search Top Stories G7 preoccupied with eurozone debt, China 'bubble' US urges EU assembly not to block bank data deal JPMorgan's chief reaps 16-million-dollar bonus Jackson doctor to be charged Monday: prosecutors Mixed report shows US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended JPMorgan's chief reaps 16-million-dollar bonus Mixed report shows US loses 20,000 jobs, unemployment dips Jackson doctor to be charged Monday: prosecutors BAE to pay 450 million dollars in fraud fines Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses More Most Viewed » Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses 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 Sunday, 7 February 2010
Hamas backtracks on apology over harming civilians
Ukraine braces for tense presidential polls
Ethiopia gets Microsoft software in Amharic
U.S., Germany say Iran not ready for nuclear deal
G7 preoccupied with eurozone debt, China 'bubble'
Iraq group says it has kidnapped U.S. contractor |
Militant video shows abducted American in Iraq
Philippine automated vote system 'almost perfect': officials
French aid worker released 3 months after Chad kidnap
US-TECH Summary
Lebanon locates black boxes from doomed jet
Iran's police vow no tolerance towards protesters
Abbas awaits U.S. clarification over peace talks offer |
Amazon reshelves Macmillan titles but not e-books
China's Xinjiang restores access to 27 websites
S. California storm brings mudslides, flooding
Obama seeks to rally glum Dems amid GOP challenges
'Snowmageddon' blankets Mid-Atlantic in heavy snow
Laos 'moving toward' Hmong access: US diplomat
Blizzard paralyzes U.S. mid-Atlantic
43 held in raid on alleged Philippine communists
Shiite group kidnaps US contractor in Iraq: video
New Orleans votes amid Carnival, Super Bowl hoopla
US missionary freed by NKorea starts journey home
Amazon reshelves Macmillan titles but not e-books |
Conn. police official threatens reporter, resigns
As US begins Afghan surge, Canada plans its exit
Obama: Parties need to cooperate on major issues
Afghan police patrol kills 7 civilians
No paper for you! Hawaii uses less, saves money
China official heads to North Korea
Obama calls capital's blizzard `Snowmageddon'
Nissan to slash production at Spanish plant
New accidents add to Toyota Prius doubts: Japanese media
Japanese ask: Is US backlash behind Toyota woes?
Rihanna, Mark Sanchez raise money for charities
Rob Lowe's a traveling Indianapolis Colts fan
Kidnappers free Red Cross worker held in Darfur
US publishers smile again as Kindle rivals emerge
Iranian Nobel winner calls for protests
Ukraine vote as tensions high in close-run election |
Afghans flee ahead of major anti-Taliban offensive
Police seize 1.5 tonnes of explosives in ETA Portugal cache
Mudslide kills 11 people in rain-sodden Mexico |
Iraqi court pushed to rule on banned candidates
Afghan police commander arrested in bomb ring |
Israeli, Saudi handshake settles seating spat
Black boxes from Ethiopian jet crash found off Lebanon
Six shot dead in Mexico disco in likely drug attack |
Philippine campaign starts as race tightens |
Shuttle aims for pre-dawn launch as clouds move in
New Orleans elects first white mayor in 32 years
Strong earthquake hits off Japan's southern coast
Former Chinese police chief's gang trial ends
AP: More migration has meant more economic stress
Reports: Malaysia finds drugs in Iranians' luggage
House fire in Warwick, RI, kills 5, including baby
Amazon reshelves Macmillan titles but not e-books |
Taiwan to seek more arms despite improved China ties
Palin calls Obama budget 'immoral'
Thousands of dinosaur footprints uncovered in China
Palin: Obama administration mishandling terrorism
Chinese envoy meets North Korean officials
Palin says Obama policies to be short-lived
Pakistan's 'third gender' seek greater rights
Japan balks at $2 billion bill to host US troops
China jails man 13 years for running porn Web site
Trial of top China official accused of mob links ends
South Korea talks down possible Europe impact
Open skies, budget travel: Asian airlines soar
Karachi violence blow to Pakistan economy
Afghan insecurity pushes gold price up, business down
Marlene Dietrich to star on Berlin 'Walk of Fame'
G7 to continue stimulus until global economy on track
PayPal halts certain payment transactions in India
G7 vows to continue stimulus policies
'Worst is over' for food inflation, says India's PM
Vietnam tackles US in first WTO case: official media
Aceh reconstruction offers hope for Haiti
Karina Smirnoff and others party on Super Bowl eve
Diehard Thaksin loyalist paints rural Thailand red
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Revellers don masks for Venice Carnival
Injured Leonard Cohen delays tour by six months
Seoul launches 'floating island'
Controversial film acclaimed abroad but unseen by Syrians
Marlene Dietrich to star on Berlin 'Walk of Fame'
Iran ratchets up atom work despite sanctions threat
Iran ratchets up atom work despite sanctions threat |
Poor weather delays US shuttle launch
Defiant Ahmadinejad orders higher uranium enrichment
Britain's Mandelson attacks EU on banking reform
Yemen arrests embassy bomb threat suspect |
US shuttle Endeavour launch delayed
Iran says arrests people hired by CIA |
Iraq Shi'ite leaders vow Baath purge as furore grows
Lebanon recovers crashed Ethiopian jet's data box
Iran says to start work on 20 percent nuclear fuel
NATO should be global security forum: Rasmussen |
US troops detain Afghan police chief: official, NATO
HRW says Israel 'failed' to probe Gaza war crimes
Israeli forces arrest two foreigners in West Bank |
Incumbent declared winner in flawed Nigeria poll |
Taliban dig in for big assault, say Afghan villagers |
Lebanon recovers crashed Ethiopian jet's data box |
Iraq panel reinstates election ban amid Shi'ite ire |
Arrests of 43 suspected Filipino rebels questioned
Nepal vice president reinstated after language row
Indian govt hails test of nuclear-capable missile
Afghanistan's NATO head: Military push needs gov't
Australia mourns lives lost in wildfires 1 year on
NATO arrests Afghan cop accused in roadside bombs
Chinese envoy meets NKoreans amid nuclear talk bid
The nation's weather
Court martial looms for S.Lanka's defeated candidate: report
Super Bowl Sunday at the White House
Australia marks anniversary of deadly firestorm
US east coast digs out after record blizzad
Activists, Japanese whalers clash in Antarctic waters
US shuttle Endeavor ready for new space mission
New Zealand house prices rise in January
China economy to grow 10 percent in 2010: think tank
Taiwan fin firms have $1.1 bln exposure to 3 European nations
All eyes on Ellen in American Idol judge debut |
British jazz legend John Dankworth dies at 82 |
Jazz musician Sir John Dankworth dead at 82
US 'cavemen' seek raw truth
Horror witch-hunts target low-caste women in Nepal
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		BlogMeter 1.01