TOKYO, Japan - March 30, 2009 - Japanese automakers reacted with anxiety to news that ailing U.S. automakers General Motors and Chrysler had failed to submit acceptable plans to receive more government money, increasing the odds they may have to file for bankruptcy protection. The news also weighed on Asian stock markets.

"A healthy U.S. auto industry is in the best interests of everyone," said Alan Buddendeck, corporate vice president of global communications at Nissan Motor Co., Japan's third-biggest carmaker. He declined comment specifically on GM's woes, but expressed hopes for a recovery.

Nissan, Toyota and other Japanese automakers have repeatedly said the collapse of any major U.S. carmaker would hurt them in their critical North American business because they share the same parts suppliers such as Delphi Corp., Bosch Auto Parts and TRW Automotive.

In recent years, the Japanese have expanded in the U.S., making one of the world's biggest auto markets a cornerstone of their growth strategy. By growing more American, they have become such a part of the U.S. industrial landscape that the collapse of any of Detroit's Big Three would be a blow to the Japanese manufacturers.

A major failure would also be likely to crimp consumer spending in an already hobbling auto market as millions of people could possibly lose their jobs and overall consumers will almost certainly become pessimistic about the future. That would further batter the already plunging U.S. sales for the Japanese automakers.