At present, 20 Japanese executives are charged with price-fixing by the U.S. Department of Justice. Extradition, however, is proving hard to accomplish.
Automotive News reports that while most of the 20 are no longer employed by the Japanese suppliers where they once worked, at least one — Hiroya Hirose of NSK Ltd. — still has his title as section head of the ball-bearing maker’s West Japan Automotive Unit, even though he has enough charges to be thrown in prison for a decade on top of a $1 million fine.
However, all 20 are still in hiding in their home country, leaving the DOJ with no option but to file extradition. In turn, the Ministry of Justice can decide to honor the request based on what punishment awaits suspects abroad compared to Japan. As the businessmen would only receive a slap on the wrist at home, the ministry won’t be too keen on complying with the requests.
That said, the 20 are stuck in Japan thanks to the indictments, as they won’t be able to find work elsewhere. Further, the indictments put the group at the top of Interpol’s radar, allowing the agency to nab any one of the execs as soon as they leave the country.
I stated in the last article posted here that a South Park episode should be based on CEO Takada’s sudden disappearance in the wake of the airbag fiasco.
Now, this is even more compelling material for a South Park episode.
“OMG they killed Kennysan, You Bastards!!”
“OMG Kennysan killed himself!”
Perhaps they are all waiting to get together and commit a mass suicide with their swords like in the old days of Japan… WAIT sorry I forgot that these folks have no honor and would not follow that ancient Japanese tradition.
This would make a great South Park episode.
They’re home-team heros. Early amakudari.
I will be interested to see what BS says about this on his site. Especially the news that Honda hid reports of over 1500 deaths and injuries. Hopefully he will be as thorough as he was with the GM case, but I won’t hold my breath.
I wonder if he has any Takata self-inflating dolls.
Made by Takata?… Ouch!
Bertel is trying to convince Takata to sell him all old, recovered and defective air bag units for the giant sex doll he has always dreamed of building, in the form of a whorish Hello Ms. Kitty.
Bertel is into bruised & battered genitalia.
Can’t take the Germany out of a German.
Godwin’s law……
Oh, you went there…
I spy a dark blue or purple 8-Series there. Mmm.
Good eye, must belong to a lawyer
http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Mora/dscf6017-1.jpg
See the old black Camry? Defendant
I was thinking the black one was one of those old Sentras.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1305/4677075177_6693361c45_z.jpg
No, that Sentra has too much of a trunkline crease, I still say 1st gen Camry
Ok we’ll split the difference. It’s an EXA Canopy.
You’re weird
Where’s Batman when you need him
“I’m Batman” (#bestMichaelKeatonvoice)
If any of these high ranking officials are indicted, they’ll most likely spend a year or two (at most) at the minimum security farm.
It’s like a resort for the highest rung of the criminal element. Call it bragging rights for those who can afford to spend lavish amounts of money on legal counsel!
But great shame and dishonor in home country! GREAT dishonor!! Commence the bamboo floggings!
I wonder: would the US extradite any US citizens to Japan in similar circumstances?
So some US bureaucrats wants to get in the news, and some lawyers wants to make a pile, by pretending setting prices without paying the lawyers enough for “advice’ first, is some sort of great evil evil? Lawyers and beaureaucrats knows best, after all. About everything, including what prices it is appropriate to charge for ball bearings….
Price fixing only matters when it isn’t a US company doing the price fixing….. Apple’s anyone?