A Japanese auto industry leader said Thursday he is ready to talk with his counterparts among the U.S. Big Three automakers, who have asked U.S. President George W. Bush to pressure Japan to refrain from talking down the yen.
"I would like to hold talks with the heads in the near future," said Hiroshi Okuda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and chairman of Toyota Motor Corp.
Okuda said he disagrees with assertions made by General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and DaimlerChrysler Corp. that a recent surge in Japanese exports is hurting U.S. industries.