Japanese

"Corporate misdoings"

In recent years, the corporate misdoings and improper acts perpetrated by civil servants have become prominent.
There is not time for counting up the number of misconducts, such as the Securities and Exchange Act violation conducted by Livedoor and so-called Murakami fund, Aneha quakeproof disguised problem, collusive bidding at the initiative of the government agencies, drinking-driving accidents, fake questions at town meeting, making confectionary with expired raw materials by Fujiya, etc.Why has Japan turned into a society where disgraceful affairs happened so frequently?
In fact, these kind of disgraceful affairs have been performed quite often in the past, but they have not been taken seriously. What has changed from before is that the ways of looking at company activity and an action of a politician. The social values on the management of a company have changed, too.
For example, the company, which makes money and pay out profit to its employees and stockholders, used to be considered as a good company. However, now, the corporate value is measured not by the amount of money a company creates but by how much it contributes to society and community. Especially, based on the recognition that global environment is facing crisis along with the drastic economic development of the developing countries like China, society is forced to change from mass consumption society to recycling society. The activity of raising a recycling ratio of the commodities, such as cars, household electrical appliances and apparels and abolishing plastic bags at super markets are the good example. The logistics industry is not an exception. Just several years ago, the delivery system that could handle many kinds of small lot cargoes was praised to the skies. The most symbolic example is "Takuhai bin" (home delivery system) represented by Yamato Transport. However, in consideration of the above social trend of the times hangs over the distribution industry, traditional mass transport system, such as eco-friendly ships or railroad are come under review. As for the packaging, simple with little waste materials or returnable containers are given high marks.

End

2007/4/29