Dear Johnr_j,
I did not try to justify, just explain my thoughts about reasons behind.
It is of course a tragedy for everyone involved when injuries and death is caused by product due to faulty design, part or manufacturing process.
Cars, as well as many other products, are recalled quite often, mostly for issues that are not related to safety of the car and hence not an urgent matter from a safety point of view.
I agree with those that says that Toyota's reaction was slow and inappropriate considering the nature of the problem.
Knowing a bit about the business culture in Japanese companies it does not come as a surprise that the reaction was slow, that's unfortunately how it works in Japan in all matters...discussed and evaluated over and over again before a decision(and reaction) can be made.
We can only hope that Toyota learn from their mistakes.....