Kainin

[Machine Translation] Olympus repeatedly engaged in "skips" and "illicit acquisitions" and window-dressing in order to cover up its losses during the bubble period. The author of this book, Michael Woodford, a former employee of Olympus who had just assumed the position of CEO, was dismissed from his post for pursuing responsibility for the fraud, and subsequently blew the whistle on the facts. What exactly happened behind the scenes at Olympus? The former CEO reveals the events leading up to the revelation of the fraud, the fierce negotiations with Chairman Kikukawa and Vice President Mori, who were later arrested, the tense board of directors meetings, and the truth about the proxy fights. This nonfiction book offers valuable suggestions for Japanese corporate culture, capitalism, and journalism.

バブル期の損失を隠蔽するため、「飛ばし」や「不明朗な企業買収」を繰り返し、粉飾決算を行なっていたオリンパス。同社の生え抜きで、CEOに就任したばかりだった本書の著者マイケル・ウッドフォードは、不正の責任を追及したがために解任され、その後、事実を告発するに至った。オリンパス事件の舞台裏ではいったい何が起きていたのか?元CEOは、不正発覚までの経緯、のちに逮捕される菊川会長、森副社長との壮絶な駆け引き、緊迫した取締役会の様子、プロキシーファイト(委任状争奪戦)の真実をここに激白する。日本の企業文化、資本主義、ジャーナリズムへの貴重な提言となるノンフィクション。