Mr. Toyoda read an opening statement in English. The tricky business began when lawmakers questioned him and the head of Toyota's North American operations, Yoshimi Inaba.
In Japan, senior executives whose companies make big mistakes undertake a familiar, public ritual of apology. They bow deeply. They express regret. Often they resign. They aren't usually subjected to hostile interrogations by legislators.
On Wednesday, Mr. Toyoda stuck by the proverb, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do'-or, as they say in Japan, 'When in a go [county], conform to that go.' He didn't bow. He did absorb the blows.
'You'll be able to brag about the fact that you withstood the interrogation of a congressional committee,' said Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D., Pa.), who then proceeded to lambaste Toyota for failing to act sooner to deal with safety problems and threw in a plug for the U.S. product-liability system. He said he expected Toyota 'will be called upon under our system to pay compensation.'
That set off an exchange with Rep. Dan Burton (R., Ind.), who said: 'Let me preface my remarks by saying we really need tort reform.' Mr. Kanjorski retorted: 'We should just forgive these companies and let them kill our people?'
Mr. Toyoda looked puzzled. AD:liuxuepaper.com
As the hearing wore on, Mr. Toyoda spoke confidently in Japanese when he thought he understood the question. He listened to translated queries via an earphone, sometimes asking an interpreter for elaboration.
He often fell back on Japanese cliches that executives and politicians use in such situations, saying he would work to ensure the mistakes 'don't happen a second time' (n ido to okoranai you ni). He prayed for the souls of accident victims (gomeifuku wo oinori suru).
Mr. Inaba, a veteran of U.S. operations, spoke in more assured tones and answered without an interpreter. He also coached his boss. 'President,' he said at one point, speaking quietly in Japanese, 'keep it brief.'
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