WASHINGTON - The top Republican on a committee investigating Toyota Motor Corp.'s massive recalls wants the automaker's chief executive to testify this month, reported The Detroit News.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda told reporters in Japan Tuesday he was planning to come to the United States to hold meetings, but didn't say when. Company officials say no trip is planned until March at the earliest.

"Given the number of outstanding questions surrounding Toyota's relationship with U.S. regulators and in the best interests of moving forward, I'd like to help facilitate a dialogue between Mr. Toyoda and lawmakers from both parties and both chambers," said House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa of California. "I would think that Mr. Toyoda would be receptive to the opportunity to meet with policymakers, and there certainly is widespread interest from Capitol Hill and the American people to hear directly from him."

Toyota noted that its North American chief already had been invited.

"We appreciate Rep. Issa's interest in meeting with Mr. Toyoda when he comes to the United States," spokeswoman Martha Voss said. "Of course, when he does visit America, he would look forward to the opportunity to meet with members of Congress."

Toyota's North American chief, Yoshimi Inaba, is scheduled to testify, as are Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief David Strickland. The chairman of the committee, Rep. Ed Towns, D-N.Y., has the sole power to invite Toyoda to testify. Issa said he would send Towns a letter outlining his request.

Jenny Rosenberg, a spokesman for Towns, told The Detroit News that the chairman "looks forward to receiving Rep. Issa's letter and to discussing his request."

The oversight panel's hearing had been scheduled for today, but was postponed until Feb. 24 as a result of the new snowfall hitting the Washington area.

Issa also suggested that Toyoda meet privately with lawmakers before the hearing.