Toyota asks Japan workers to lower pay

TOKYO ? Toyota Motor Corp. said Thursday it is negotiating with its workers in Japan to slash salaries as it stops production to adjust to slumping global demand. Toyota spokeswoman Ririko Takeuchi said the size of the cut is still undecided. She said talks are under way after the company decided this week to idle production at all 12 of its Japan plants for 11 days over February and March ? a stoppage of unprecedented scale for Toyota, Japan?s top automaker. Under Japanese law, companies must pay at least 60% of the average regular wages during such stoppages, she said.