Proxy advisory firms have raised issues about governance
Slow rollout of electric vehicles has attracted criticism
Company says chairman is key to driving transformation

TOKYO, June 2 Reuters Two of the largest U.S. public pension systems have voted against the reelection of Toyota Motor Corp chairman Akio Toyoda, shareholder voting records showed, sharpening the focus on the automaker39;s annual meeting later this month.

The California Public Employees39; Retirement System CalPERS and the Office of the New York City Comptroller both also voted for a resolution urging Toyota to improve disclosure of its lobbying on climate change, according to postings by the funds.

The details of the votes come after two leading proxy advisory firms last week raised issues about governance at the automaker. One of them, Glass Lewis, recommended shareholders vote against reelecting Toyoda, citing what it said was his responsibility for the lack of a sufficiently independent board.

Toyota on Friday did not immediately comment on the votes against the reelection of Toyoda.

The world39;s largest automaker has been a target for climate activists and green investors in recent years who say it has been too slow to roll out batteryelectric vehicles.

The disclosures by the public pension systems with a record for activism underscored the pressure Toyota faces at its annual meeting on June 14 over board oversight and its choice to push electric vehicle EV alternatives, including hybrids…