31.   But they warned that the Japanese automakers were cutting costs to become competitive despite the weak dollar, which makes exports to the United States more expensive.

32.   But Yoshino says he is convinced the Japanese automakers can hold their own.

33.   Chrysler Corp. and three of the largest Japanese automakers reported double-digit declines in car sales last month.

34.   Comments by U.S. officials that Japan is relying too heavily on exports are making Japanese automakers nervous, said Peter Boardman, an auto analyst at UBS Securities Ltd.

35.   Comments by U.S. officials that Japan is relying too heavily on exports is making Japanese automakers nervous, said Peter Boardman, an auto analyst at UBS Securities Ltd.

36.   Competition among Japanese automakers is also heating up, Inoue said.

37.   DaimlerChrysler AG and most of the Japanese automakers already buy most of their parts from independent companies.

38.   Despite the declines, Japanese automakers are far from worried, analysts said.

39.   Despite these risks, perhaps the clearest victors in the whole affair are the Japanese automakers.

40.   Eckrodt will be the third foreign chief executive of a leading Japanese automaker.