一昨日の火曜日、世界を代表する電気メーカー東芝の重鎮が記者会見を行いました。2009年から2014年まで決算報告で総額１５１０億円にも及ぶ利益水増が発覚したのを受けて。
Last Tuesday, July 21st, several figure-heads of the technology giant Toshiba held a press conference, relating to the recently discovered act of the inflating of profit and expenditure figures from March of 2009 to December 2014, amounting to a total of ¥151 billion.
会見は現社長、前社長、前前社長の３名がそろって行い、頭を下げて謝罪。自分らの在籍期間に不正経理があったことを認めました。
The press conference was held by all three leaders, including the current CEO of the company. They have expressed their apologies to the press by bowing their heads; admitting that the figures were indeed, incorrect for that span of time, all within their terms.
ですが水増しについては認めたものの、彼らが進んで指示を出したという点については否定。
Though they recognized the “inflated” numbers, they denied the allegations that the directive of willfully changing the information came from them.
1980年代、ヨーロッパの某国に赴任していた頃、差別やら何やらでホームシックにかかったことがありました。
I remember, during my overseas assignment in 1980s, I was feeling homesick and really didn’t enjoy my life there because of the racial harassments and so on.
そんなある日、テレビを見ていたら、東芝のCMが流れました。異国で聞く自国の会社のコマーシャル。とても勇気づけられ、誇りさえ感じたのを覚えています。
Then, as I was watching TV, I saw a Toshiba commercial; it instantly improved my mood! The short screen time gave me much pride and courage to push on with my stay in that city, as it reminded me of how great things are back home. I felt good that a Japanese company is still doing well over the years.
僕だけじゃない。 きっと多くの企業戦士がそのCMに勇気づけられたことでしょう。
It’s not only me but also a lot of corporate worriers who were given courage and pride by the commercial.
しっかりしろ東芝！ Pull yourself together.