Regarding the July 1 AP article "Whistle-blower defeats Japan Inc. for first time": I would like to congratulate Masaharu Hamada on his win and on his dedication and courage in continuing to press for restitution and remedial action for his 2008 suit (in which he alleged that Olympus Corp. took reprisal actions against him for raising the issue of supplier complaints).
This case exemplifies the snail's pace at which Japan is adopting real change when public posturing and company face remain so important — even to the point that the company suffers both commercially and image-wise.
Though relatively minor, this case is a general wake-up call for Japanese enterprises that they need to come out of their shell and embrace new codes of flexibility and responsiveness — and assertiveness — in business. One area of opportunity is actually to encourage those individuals who see where things are wrong or can be improved: Encourage the protruding nail rather than try unceremoniously to knock it down.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.
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