Japan PM says wants Toyota to work to improve trust

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said after meeting the head of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) on Monday he wanted the company to work to improve the trust that people have in it.

(Photo) Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda (L) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at Hatoyama's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 08 March 2010.

"I would like it to continue to work to improve its trust," Hatoyama told reporters after a meeting with Toyota President Akio Toyoda on Monday that lasted about 20 minutes.

Hatoyama said it was good that the head of the company had gone to the United States and China.

Toyota is reeling from a safety crisis that has seen it recall more than 8.5 million vehicles worldwide. Toyoda testified at a U.S. congressional hearing about the safety issues last month, followed by a visit to China to ease quality concerns in the world's biggest car market.

Toyoda told reporters separately that he had reported to Hatoyama on the U.S. and China visits.