They have a soft spot for tearful executives in Japan.
Footage of Toyota President, Akio Toyoda, choking up in front of American car dealers in Washington DC played well in Japan.
While many people in the U.S. may be bemused by a sobbing executive it is understood and appreciated in Japan.
In fact for most Japanese it is a way of showing genuine remorse and isn’t a sign of weakness as it would be seen in the States.
In what is a consensus oriented society its seen honorable to acknowledge ones mistakes and crying is seen as a good way of showing that.
And to do it abroad in front of foreigners is seen as a very difficult ordeal and should be appreciated.
People in Japan, as I know from living and working there, aren’t known for showing their feelings openly.
It sometimes takes a few glasses of sake before they express their true feelings.
But most questioned today hoped that Toyota will regain its international image as an automaker which makes reliable cars.
Toyota’s problems have, though, shaken Japan. For years its been seen as one of the real flagship companies for Japan Inc. Toyota’s fall has been sudden and unless it acts quickly to solve it problems it could all end in tears.