Toyoda’s testimony holds the key for Japan, Inc.

To my point on Fox News yesterday, I sure hope Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, has good translators especially since he’s stepping into a circus the likes of which he’s not even remotely prepared to deal with. Not only does his reputation and leadership standing come into play with regard to Toyota, but what’s really at stake is Japan, Inc. And the reason is very simple – most of Japan’s global exporter reputation rides for better or for worse on the Toyota brand. Should Toyoda fail to get a grip on this crisis, what was once a relatively simply recall could turn into global distrust for Japanese products in general.