InfoAnda - Activist icon laments Toyota's easy ride in 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

Syrian forces hit Hama again | | 3 August 2011
Back briefly, Amy Poehler bids 'SNL' viewers adios | 15 December 2008
Cyber crooks tarketing banks-social networks: Cisco | 8 December 2009

Vietnam court upholds dissidents' jail sentences | 11 May 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Activist icon laments Toyota's easy ride in 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 Activist icon laments Toyota's easy ride in Japan By YURI KAGEYAMA,AP Business Writer - 1 hour 31 minutes ago Send IM Story Print KAMAKURA, Japan – Japan's most famous consumer activist is watching the safety problems enveloping Toyota with a sense of frustration. For decades, Fumio Matsuda took on the country's powerful carmakers, bringing his engineering expertise to landmark court battles that won damages for consumers and led companies to make their vehicles safer. Yet his success has yet to inspire a new generation of Japanese consumer advocates, and few have been willing to stand up to Toyota Motor Corp. in courts of law or public opinion. In the U.S., for example, the automaker has been hit with more than 200 lawsuits since it began recalling millions of vehicles worldwide last year for everything from defective gas pedals to faulty floor mats suspected of being linked to deadly highway crashes. The number of such lawsuits in Japan: zero. The contrast stems largely from the fact that the sticky pedals and faulty floor mats that forced recalls in the U.S. haven't afflicted Toyota models in Japan. However, the Prius and other Toyota hybrid cars have been recalled in Japan for a braking software glitch; there have been no high-profile fatalities or injuries. Still, Matsuda worries the absence of even modest criticism of Toyota over car defects in Japan shows the activism he ignited decades ago has lost momentum altogether. "Japanese these days are defending Toyota as though it is getting bashed unfairly," said Matsuda, 84, who heads his own group, largely a one-man show called Japan Automobile Consumers Union, although he is now semiretired. "But the story of Toyota reads like a study in cruelty." Feeble product liability laws, considered years behind those in other developed countries, may help explain why few have challenged Toyota in Japan. Experts say manufacturers rarely face meaningful consequences when defects surface. The nation also lacks an independent monitoring body like the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to seize evidence and keep automakers in line. Japan's first product liability law was passed only in 1994. When companies are forced to pay, the damages are frequently token by Western standards. Whistleblowers are extremely rare and often ostracized _ a law protecting them took effect just four years ago, but none has come forward so far under the new legal protection. Matsuda recalls the 1970s when his struggles were still making headlines, and boasts about the praise he once received from U.S. consumer advocacy icon Ralph Nader. Back then, Matsuda spent his days challenging car companies over accidents, proving defects, testing cars at crash sites and winning damages and settlements. People deluged him with complaints of runaway vehicles. Once, he pressed for murder charges against auto executives to get around the primitive product liability laws that existed in Japan at that time. But such tales are more than 20 years old. "Automakers are the ones that have evidence on defects. So we have to force them to hand over the evidence," he said in a recent interview at his home in a seaside town 45 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Tokyo. Were he still working full-time, Matsuda says he would press Toyota to release a detailed breakdown of its spending on recall-related measures. In the last three years, more than 1,700 consumer complaints against Toyota vehicles have been lodged with Japan's transportation department, including 300 over braking and accelerator problems. However, complaints against Toyota in Japan jumped by 10-fold after the scrutiny intensified in the U.S., according to the Transport Ministry. The ministry says the jump is reasonable and the complaints proportionate to Toyota vehicles on Japanese roads. The ministry itself has not taken special action against Toyota, except to urge the company to be more transparent and quicker when communicating problems with the government. Katsuji Aoki, one of a small group of well-known attorneys tackling lawsuits against automakers, has another explanation for the dearth of legal opposition. He says lawsuits and criticism directed toward Toyota in the U.S. may have helped curry sympathy among Japanese. "If anything, there is a lot of sympathy in Japan toward Toyota, and people are seeing it as another case of American Japan-bashing," said Aoki, referring to the backlash Japanese automakers suffered in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Toyota, which was slapped with a record fine of $16.4 million in the U.S. for its slow response to sticking gas pedals, has repeatedly denied any cover-up. The company isn't facing any lawsuits in Japan similar to those filed in the U.S., Toyota officials say. Aoki represented the mother of a woman who was crushed and killed in 2002 by a wheel that rolled off a Mitsubishi Motors Corp. truck. The damages he eventually won: 5.5 million yen ($59,000). The case was unusual because Mitsubishi was embroiled in a scandal centered on a systematic cover-up of auto defects the company eventually acknowledged spanned at least two decades. Several Mitsubishi executives were convicted of professional negligence. For his part, Matsuda says financial means may also explain why so few have followed in his footsteps. The heir of a rich landlord, he was able to support himself through years of courtroom battles that never brought much in the way of monetary rewards. In the 1970s, Matsuda and his ally, Haruo Abe, a lawyer who has written one of the best-known books in Japan on auto defects, faced one of their toughest cases. After suing Honda over what they say was a defective vehicle suspected in several deaths, the duo were slapped with criminal charges. Prosecutors maintained that Matsuda and Abe, by pressing Honda to pay damages in connection with the deaths, had blackmailed the big automaker. Matsuda contends the case was politically motivated and highlights the difficulty of consumer advocacy in Japan. Though he and Abe were convicted of blackmail and lost all appeals, Matsuda believes the two were exonerated in the end because they never had to serve jail terms. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Oil below $86 as traders eye Gulf crude spill AP - 11 minutes ago Mining shares tumble on Australian tax plan AP - 14 minutes ago Russia's Rencap buys SAfrica's Barnard Jacobs Mellet Reuters - 26 minutes ago GLOBAL ECONOMY-Asian factory output strong, inflation mounting Reuters - 28 minutes ago Australian mining tax may boost PM Rudd's appeal Reuters - 34 minutes ago News Search Top Stories United, Continental to announce merger plans: US media Obama defends his US oil slick response Greek crisis to dominate ECB meeting in Lisbon 'Trust' lacking in stalled climate talks: Merkel, Calderon Norsk Hydro to buy Vale's aluminium assets More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Shroud of Turin 'mirrors' human suffering: pope Obama jokes about his ratings and nationality Greece agrees painful cuts in return for bailout New York police foil Times Square car bombing Obama defends his US oil slick response More Most Viewed » Aliens may exist but contact would hurt: Hawking Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype French driving veil row escalates Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen 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 World Cup 2010 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 Monday, 3 May 2010
Four killed in Darfur protest
Spain reverses rise in unemployment: report
Explosion damages HSBC branch in Athens, no injuries |
Norsk Hydro to buy Vale's aluminium assets
Pope, in respite from scandal, visits Turin Shroud |
Higgins's snooker future in question over match-fixing claims
Obama visits scene of US oil spill
Pakistan Taliban group claims NY bomb attempt in video: SITE
Bomb strikes amid concern about Afghan deaths
China orders tighter school security after attacks
Push for Afghan role delays military building
Report: Lightning kills at least 16 in Bangladesh
Rescue workers recover 28 bodies from China mine
Maoist strike shuts down Nepal; gov't urges talks
Pakistani army kills 22 Taliban near Afghan border
Afghan civilian deaths are rising, government says
Pakistan jets kill 13 militants: military
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Iron Man 2" opens big at international box office
Iron Man 2 opens big at international box office |
Two bomb blasts hit Afghanistan
Swastika on British parliament targets far-right
North Korea's Kim seeking lifeline in China |
Canada broadcaster seeks to revolutionize energy consumption
Bomb hits near NATO base in Afghanistan: official
'Trust' lacking in stalled climate talks: Merkel, Calderon
Thai red shirts ignore new government threats |
Four killed in Darfur protest over cash scam
United, Continental to announce merger plans: US media
Obama defends his US oil slick response
India court to deliver verdict on Mumbai attack suspect |
Suicide blast outside foreign base in Afghanistan |
Taiwan says will not seek U.S. help to fight wars |
Obama Holds British Petroleum Responsible For Spill As Administration Struggles With Response
Sikh Summit In Washington DC To Engage Lawmakers
Boston Water Unfit For Drinking After "Catastrophic" Pipe Burst; State of Emergency Declared
Videos appear to show Pakistan Taliban chief alive
Iran does not need to gain West's trust: Ahmadinejad
N.Korean leader on rare visit to China
NY police look for suspects behind failed car bombing
Australia to establish arsonist database
Video appears to show Pakistan Taliban chief alive
Maoist strike shuts down Nepal for second day
Thai 'red shirts' ignore new government threats
Swimmer Thorpe scotches Olympic comeback speculation
Reports: NKorean leader travels to China
Mumbai attacks suspect faces court verdict
India court to deliver verdict on Mumbai attack suspect
U.S. pressures BP over oil spill as Obama visits Gulf
Pakistan Taliban chief's threatens US in new video: SITE
Euro, stocks tumble on doubts over Greek bailout
Taiwan stocks end down; China, eurozone worries weigh
Activist icon laments Toyota's easy ride in Japan
Oliver Stone inks TV deal with Epix
Seoul shares fall 1.2 pct weighed by techs, Doosan
Pakistani c.bank sells 65 bln rupees of T-bills
S.Korea prices, manufacturing pick up, stir hike talk
China targets `foreign forces' in Web crackdown
PAKISTAN
Arizona dilemma: who is a legal resident and who isn't?
China's central bank hikes banks' reserve minimum
NZ April commodity prices hit record high
O'Brien says tour best cure for "Tonight" debacle
Oliver Stone inks TV deal with Epix
English Lake District: Japan tourists' donations help
"Thriller" voted most influential pop video in poll
Dream box office sales for 'Nightmare on Elm Street'
Polanski says extradition case based on a lie
Broadway shows go on after car bomb attempt
Rush documentary wins Tribeca audience award
Polanski says extradition case based on a lie |
O'Brien says tour best cure for Tonight debacle |
Iron Man 2 opens big at international box office |
Thriller voted most influential pop video in poll |
Rush documentary wins Tribeca audience award |
Oliver Stone inks TV deal with Epix |
Election recount under way in Baghdad
US-TECH Summary
Iraq starts vote recount, may take almost 2 weeks
Electronic medical orders may save lives
Iraq starts vote recount, may take almost 2 weeks |
Greece rushes austerity cuts as anger builds
Suicide attack targets US base in Afghanistan
Election recount under way in Baghdad
Massive Snowstorm On Saturn Visible On Earth
U.S. envoy arrives for Israeli-Palestinian talks |
Reformed Afghan suicide bomber joins police
Shakira To Kick Off 2010 Tour In America
UK Conservatives could secure tiny majority: poll |
Failing United and Continental Form World's Biggest Airline With Merger
Palin E-Mail Hacker Convicted
Coast Guard Responding To Second Oil Rig Accident In Louisiana
FDA: "Vita Breath" Herbal Supplement Contains Dangerous Lead Levels
First Detroit Officer Killed On Duty In 6 Years
Michigan Becomes Latest State To Ban Public Smoking
Study Suggests Obese Kids More Likely To Be Bullied
Director Adam McKay: Paramount Says No To “Anchorman 2”
NKorean leader reportedly visiting China
Intel: US missiles kill 4 in northwest Pakistan
Indian court convicts Pakistani for Mumbai siege
An Error has occured |
Egyptian protesters clash with police |
Maoists shut down Nepal, testing peace process
Three reject Spanish court as car bomb trial opens |
Thai premier to offer political solution to crisis
Kuwait says detains several in security probe |
Beijing police shoot man who abducted girl
Video appears to show Pakistan Taliban chief alive
FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in Taiwan
Pakistani stocks down; rupee weakens; o/n rates up
FACTBOX-Key political risks to watch in New Zealand
S.Korea finmin "careful" on interest rate policy
Seoul shares fall as tech, Doosan firms drop
Swiss say up to US to look into Polanski claims
Apple iPad reaches 1 million sales faster than iPhone |
IBM buys cloud computing software firm Cast Iron |
Watchdog names 40 'predators of the press'
Indonesian jailed for killing Japanese tourist
China guards against overseas hostile forces on Web |
"Dark Knight" sequel gets official release date
Electronic medical orders may save lives |
Rush documentary wins Tribeca audience award |
Dark Knight sequel gets official release date |
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