Takefuji Corp., Japan's largest consumer finance company, is at the center of an unfolding wiretap scandal. Earlier this week, the Metropolitan Police Department arrested the company's founding chairman, Mr. Yasuo Takei, on charges of ordering his employees to wiretap a freelance journalist who had criticized his business practices.
Mr. Takei reportedly has denied the allegation, claiming that he had nothing to do with the incident. However, speculation is rife that he masterminded the plot. He is known as a "one-man manager" because of his autocratic style of leadership. This is the first wiretap case involving the head of a major firm listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It must be thoroughly investigated.
Investigative sources say Mr. Takei and two other men bugged the journalist's phone from late 2000 to early 2001. Both accomplices -- a former Takefuji troubleshooter and a private detective -- were arrested earlier this year. Mr. Takei allegedly met them often in his Tokyo office to give instructions or receive reports.