The House Committee on Oversight and Government Affairs on Thursday invited Akio Toyoda, the chief executive of Toyota, to testify at a hearing in Washington next week.
In a letter to Mr. Toyoda, the committee’s chairman, Edolphus Towns, Democrat of New York, said it was important for Mr. Toyoda to appear in order to “help clarify the situation.”
In Japan on Wednesday, Mr. Toyoda said he “would consider” testifying if he was invited to do so.
Mr. Towns wrote in his letter. “ Toyota has recalled millions of its vehicles and even halted production. In addition, there are reports that this problem may have been the direct cause of serious injury and even death.”
He continued, “There appears to be growing public confusion regarding which vehicles may be affected and how people should respond.
“This is a moment when Toyota is going to be in the world’s eyes,” said Michael Useem, professor of management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. “It’s going to be the most powerful and effective if the C.E.O. does appear.”
Just 14 months ago, the chief executives of the Detroit automakers endured hours of questions before Congressional committees, along with heated criticism over their use of corporate jets.
In 2000, Jacques Nasser, chief executive of Ford, and Masatoshi Ono, his counterpart at Japanese tire maker Bridgestone/Firestone, also were questioned by members of Congress after accidents involving exploding tires on the Ford Explorer. Both left their companies within about a year.
Mr. Towns said Mr. Toyoda could submit written testimony, but should be prepared to provide a five-minute opening statement and to answer questions. He requested a response by 5 p.m. Friday.
Toyota had no immediate comment.
Analysts and public relations experts say that it would be in the company’s interest for Mr. Toyoda to make the trip.
In the hearings next week, the role of N.H.T.S.A., the federal safety agency, is also expected to be addressed, including whether it acted promptly enough on information it received from consumers.
The energy panel has invited James Lentz, the president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. to testify at its hearing on Tuesday.