TOKYO — Takata, the airbag manufacturer at the center of the world’s largest auto safety recall, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States on Sunday and said it was selling its surviving operations to a rival supplier.

The company also filed for bankruptcy protection in Japan, where it is based.

Here is a summary of what Takata is doing, as well as how it will affect efforts to repair millions of vehicles and compensate people hurt by exploding Takata-made airbags:

Is Takata disappearing?

Basically, yes — Takata and its financial advisers have determined that it owes too much money to too many people to survive.

But instead of abruptly closing shop, the company is dismantling itself in stages.

First, it will sell its assets (its factories, mainly) to a rival company, Key Safety Systems, which is based in Michigan. Then it will use the money from the sale, about $1.6 billion, to pay down its debts and settle legal claims. A small remnant of Takata would then emerge from bankruptcy, primarily to handle the replacement of the airbag inflaters.

Much of the work will now take place in courts in the United States and Japan. They will be settling disputes by different groups that are seeking money from the company, like banks, carmakers and accident victims who are suing for damages. In court filings, Takata said it hoped to win court approval for its reorganization by the end of March.