Analysts said fears of an even bigger consumer backlash prodded Toyota into recalling the Prius. "If they hadn't done the recalls, their image would have suffered even more," said Ryoichi Saito, auto analyst at Mizuho Investors Securities in Tokyo. The Japanese transport minister rapped Toyota as reacting too slowly, and said he was meeting U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos on Wednesday to exchange views about Toyota's recalls and make sure U.S.-Japan relations remained on good terms. "The consideration for customers was lacking in Toyota," Seiji Maehara told reporters, after a meeting with Toyoda. "We hope this never happens again." Toyoda, who visited the minister after his news conference, apologized and explained the recalls, Maehara said. U.S. safety officials are investigating the brake problem. It is suspected in four crashes resulting in two minor injuries, according to data gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.