Jim Press, the top man of Toyota’s North American operations, got the approval from shareholders last Friday to become the first non-Japanese member of the automaker’s board of directors.

Press, 60, a 37-year Toyota Motor Corp. veteran, was named to the board in April as part of the company’s initiative to boost its international standing. The decision comes as the Japanese automaker intends to increase sales in North America and grab a large slice of market share away from Detroit automakers. The increasing success of Toyota in foreign territories especially in the United States has prompted worries about a potential backlash.

The Toyota window motor and other auto parts from the automaker are landing on foreign ground with remarkable distinction. This distinction is intended to be safeguarded by eansuring management, production and sales.