Toyota said it would slash its global production plan for April by 150,000 units to 750,000 vehicles, compared with the original schedule reported to suppliers earlier this year.

Toyota's overseas output climbed 5.6 percent to 3.35 million vehicles through June, while production in Japan fell 18 percent to 1.73 million.

Toyota's leader is warning the government that its road map to net-zero emissions needs to be better tailored for the nation's economy.

The appeal filing comes just days after the American – free from Japan on a suspended sentence – had a tearful homecoming to Tennessee and ensures his years-long legal odyssey will drag on.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said: "We are relieved that the legal process has concluded, and Mr. and Mrs. Kelly can return home." Carlos Ghosn told journalists on a video call: “He’s obviously an innocent man."

Kenji Shimotsu just handed down a harsh jail term to a 90-year-old defendant in another case.

Prosecutors made the case against the American defendant  as they delivered their closing argument in the long-running trial.

Japan's automakers absorbed the challenges of the fiscal year just ended. Despite worries over rising costs, they see a brighter year ahead.