crime

U.S. to jail Japanese auto execs over price-fixing

37 Comments

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Bet they wish they were never transferred to the US office! In Japan they would get a suspended sentence at worst, maybe give up half a month's pay, apologize, and all would be forgiven in a day. They'd even get a pay raise or cushy amakudari job somewhere else.

8 ( +19 / -11 )

Its a federal case and they will probably be jailed in minimum security with cable tv and take outs. For the crimes and illecit profit they committed, 5k and a few months (probably will be paroled) in a minimum security prison is like a vacation on a RC cruise, without the vomit.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Its always nice to see white collar criminals go down for their crimes, and it does not happen enough. But I am afraid that highball7 is correct.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

Another thing that I have a problem with Japan is that Japan acted all surprised about the fact that China declared ADIZ in 2013.

Way back in 2010, China's PLA has already informed through unofficial channel to Japanese side that China will declare ADIZ. The ground works were already in place back in 2010.

Its a bit disingenuous from Japan acting all surprise by this.

Here's a link that detailed such plan being informed by Japanese officials. http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20140101p2a00m0na013000c.html

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

That is just too sweet! As if that were possible in Japan. Most Japanese actually don't realize they pay more for products made in Japan than Americans do. Price fixing here is shameful and makes Japanese government and corporations look like the Yakuza.

16 ( +18 / -2 )

Price fixing? I think the correct term in Japanese for this is, "Business as usual."

19 ( +21 / -2 )

Well done to the US justice system. These crooks were ripping companies and working men/women off for years - lining their grubby pockets with Millions that was not theirs . Don't drop the soap, boys!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

And back in Japan, price fixing, bid rigging, KBs, amakudari, etc etc are all still going ahead full steam, nothing to worry about, while the masses here pay obscene prices in order to keep the nasty nasty wa!

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Bet they wish they were never transferred to the US office!

were they?

In Japan they would get a suspended sentence at worst, maybe give up half a month's pay, apologize, and all would be forgiven in a day.

is it even illegal? never notice the yokonarabi beer prices here?

They'd even get a pay raise or cushy amakudari job somewhere else.

amakudari?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Bet they wish they were never transferred to the US office! In Japan they would get a suspended sentence at worst, maybe give up half a month's pay, apologize, and all would be forgiven in a day. They'd even get a pay raise or cushy amakudari job somewhere else.

That isn't how amakudari works Smith.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

They own companies. Meaning they are top, no Amakudari. They pleaded guilty in the court. Bond was not set - no bail chance. unless they appeal but they pleaded guilty already - no chance of appealing. They were not transferred, they owned the company. They will not get parole as they will be jailed in Federal prison, They will be packed with murders in these prison. The jails are maximum security as they pack federal offenders such as Chicao Mafiosos and snitches together in their jails. They did not get suspended sentence. They were not only ones who were sentenced on price fixing, Better in jail than drifting in a drum on Pacific Ocean or Atlantic Ocean. They will do hard labor while they are incarcerated,

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

@Toshiko In america we have a saying and that is "IF YOU CANT DO THE TIME DONT DO THE CRIME" in other words know what you are doing and accept the consequences of your punishment or dont do your criminal activity at all. What works in Japan Does Not Work in The US and vice versa. Also you said he will be in prison with a bunch of murders LMAO. In the US a crime is a crime birds of a feather flock together!! A criminal is a criminal! What kind of criminals did you expect him to be locked up with. Yes he would probably in up in a federal prison and some people posted these are vacation well i know people who have been in and out of them and they are just as worse as state prisons. A criminal is a criminal not a prince amongst other criminals any sign of weakness you are done!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

is it even illegal?

Price fixing is illegal in Japan, but price fixing is culturally accepted, so the law is never applied. It is also not illegal for gangsters to apply for loans, so long as they meet the income and credit history requirements, yet the banks are punished for loaning them money because the loans are culturally unacceptable.

If Abe expects foreign companies to invest in Japan, he is going to have to address the price fixing problem. If he expects Japan to become a full partner in TPP, it will have to happen all the sooner.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

"IF YOU CANT DO THE TIME DONT DO THE CRIME" is not a motto of criminals in USA.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@Bear27840: They did not steal from the World. They cheated, FORD, Toyota and Subaru. '

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

It's so JT to have a title like this, as if to insinuate that the big Japanese 3 are at fault. They are auto parts supplier execs, not Japanese auto execs. stir up controversy for the sake of views and to make Japanese autos look bad. Defamation at work.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

@wasabizuki: You are right,. They are just part maker company owners.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"They did not steal from the World. They cheated, FORD, Toyota and Subaru."

And those companies pass on the higher costs to the consumers. In the end, the consumers pay.

I'm sure these two gentlemen will make nice new friends in the penitentiary.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

They will be packed with murders in these prison. The jails are maximum security as they pack federal offenders such as Chicao Mafiosos and snitches together in their jails....They will do hard labor while they are incarcerated,

No, they won't be serving their time with murderers. They will be assigned to one of the minimum security prisons in the federal system. There is no hard labor. They will more likely spend their time learning a craft or taking classes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Price fixing and they go to jail. US Banksters who almost destroy global capitalism as we know it, and ruined lots of lives globally: NOTHING. I guess two brothers were not well connected enough to the US power structure.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

How confusing. Obama price fixed health care, so why isn't he in federal prison?

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Price fixing and they go to jail. US Banksters who almost destroy global capitalism as we know it, and ruined lots of lives globally: NOTHING. I guess two brothers were not well connected enough to the US power structure.

This. Funny how the Japan bashers on this page are acting like the US is some bastion of moral values compared to Japan when it comes to punishing economic transgressions when in fact the US is as corrupt as it gets in this area.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

I guess two brothers were not well connected enough to the US power structure.

What are you talking about? Bernie Ebbers at WorldCom was extremely well-connected and he was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Jeff Skilling at Enron well connected, 24 years in federal prison. Dennis Kozlowski at Tyco, well connected, 8 1/2 to 25 years in state prison. John Rigas at Adelphia, well connected, 25 years in federal prison. The list goes on and on.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@Suzu1 Well that just shows that as well connected as they may have been, they still are not as well connected as the banksters. Not even a handslap for the banksters. Just some negative comments in the media, which I am sure they can live with.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Suzu1: Write place of Fed Minimum Security prison> Fed Prisons were designed to dump Fed. criminals.

There was a riot in one Fed Prison, They complained that their murder cell nates steal their meals. Then, a Mafioso Murders Cullotta confessed one of his murder. Lisner was the vicxtim. He and his cohorts were incarcelated. Anyone spoke with Callotta were stabbed and so Federal Marshal Witness Program was used to protect and get more snitching by Cullotta. There were xconnected judges that were grilled by McCallan (sic) Committee. One judge committed suicide later. Connected meant nothing when one was sentenced.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@toshiko its a know fact for any one thinking about committing a crime in the US so if your jP or any people outside of the country even think about committing a crime just remember there is a price to pay on the inside and out. So dont cry "who and what kind of criminal you will be locked up with" thats why i said what you may get away with in your country may not work in the US. Apparently they didnt know but im sure they are asking somebody now!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I appreciate that the US is willing to lock up businessmen who screw people. Japan is way to lenient to company execs that cheat the people. They should be locked up here too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

price fixing and such shady deals are common in big-corporate Japan.US should ban imports from such Japanese companies altogether!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

'2kaimy: I never wrote JP system. I wrote about US FBI jails, nothing about JP system.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Suzu1: Write place of Fed Minimum Security prison> Fed Prisons were designed to dump Fed. criminals.

Toshiko, you can go to the federal Bureau of Prisons website and query all federal prison locations by security type (minimum security, low security, medium security, high security or administrative security). White collar criminals with no history of violence will be sent to a minimum security facility. For example, Martha Stewart served her time at Alderson Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Alderson, West Virginia It looks more like a boarding school than a prison.

@Suzu1 Well that just shows that as well connected as they may have been, they still are not as well connected as the banksters. Not even a handslap for the banksters

Since 2008, the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program has pursued criminal charges against 107 senior bank officers, most of whom have been sentenced to prison. For example, Catherine Kissick, a former senior vice president at Alabama-based Colonial Bank, 8 years in federal prison. Edward J. Woodard, CEO of Bank of the Commonwealth, 23 years in federal prison. Mark Conner, president of FirstCity Bank, 12 years in federal prison. Just because it isn't covered in Japan Today doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Vijitha wrote .US should ban imports from such Japanese companies altogether! What Us import from Japan? Cheap clothes are from China, Ramen were manufactured in Irvine, Ca. Instant miso soup in SF, Calif. Oh, Kobe Beefs are from Japan. What else comes from Japan?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This case is prosecution of these part company top practiced in defrauding three companies in USA. These three companies manufacture and sell in USA. They absorbed cost, competition is tough that they did not raise price. Nothing to do with their foreign factories. Just USA. They have factories in other countries. They don't export made in USA cars to other countries. I don;t read US official ad E address, I get FBI prison system info from newspaper articles in past. And former FBI agents comments who are retired and live in our area. Mr. Griffin, Romer etc who published books.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I feel sorry for the employees of these companies who had nothing to do with the price fixing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Tahoochi: I hope an organzaiton will purchase this company so that these employees do not lose their jobs. The to[s have to pay penalties and so, maybe Subaru or Toyota acquore the company. Not easy to find replacement of a part maker in USA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ha! If it were Japan a slap on the wrist and a pay cut would be all that's required...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@toshko, they did steal from the world for their cars are sold world-wide just in case you are to blind to know that.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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