[legion]

This is an example of where Japanese culture and U.S. culture differ.

In Japan, companies will routinely hide problems so as to not bring shame on themselves. I fully expect the CEO and several top executives to quite because they have shamed a great company.

I recall when Mitsubishi had a problem a decade ago with rampant sexual harassment at the plant here in Normal. They denied the problem, and even gave workers a day off, a free bus ride, and a free lunch to go up to Chicago to protest in front of the court where the case was being tried. It was only after the court decision was rendered that many of the executives were recalled to Japan and meaningful changes were at the plant.

I have also long suspected that Toyota would issue "secret" recalls an quietly fix known problems with cars when they were in for other service. This would had the benefit of burying problems AND making people think the cars were extremely reliable.

U.S. companies, by contrast, tend to issue recalls quickly in the post-Pinto era. They tend to believe it is better to be seen as doing something about a problem because they have already been burned for stonewalling and ignoring.