Unimatrix One

from http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0100114a1.html

"Meanwhile, Kazuo Inamori, honorary chairman and founder of Kyocera Corp., accepted Wednesday the government's offer to be JAL's chief executive officer.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama met Inamori, 77, and asked to him to take up the position the same day. Inamori will work unpaid three to four days a week at JAL's office, sources said." [emphasis added]

Someone help me out here... JAL is collapsing, and the government tapped a near 80-year-old who only plans to work three to four days a week to save the company?

fumitani

I was opposed to it also. What can a 77year old 78 this year help this company do?

Seriously someone maybe in the 50's or early 60's would have helped more.

Tak

I think he takes chairman position, not as the new president.
So some media said he does not want to be named as the CEO.
JAL will hire a new younger(i do not know how young or old?) president as the active leader to reorganize.
Mr. Inamori has been a reputable leader through the years in top japanese companies group.
He can talk to any other leaders of large Japanese companies including banks, manufacturings so on.
This is the kind of Japanese business culture(seniority rule still works) so he will be the coordinator and other economic leaders in Japan will cooperate with him as much as they can.
May not work with any oversees companies, though.

I hope that JAL chooses the right active president(real CEO) to reorganize.

JALPak

Are you referring to the new COO? The rumor is Masaru Onishi (54), president of JAC, will be promoted as the next COO.

http://www.47news.jp/CN/201001/CN2010011401000772.html

And having Mr. Inamori as the CEO can probably give JAL some advantages when competing for corporate contracts given the Japanese corporate culture. This could help JAL in the short term.

My guess is Inamori will leave when the ETIC exits 3 years later. So another important duty of Inamori is to find or nurture a long term leader who won't repeat the mistakes JAL made before and to ensure JAL's long term success.

JALPak

He's turning 78 this month (Jan 30)

O Sora

Anyone have read his books ? He's got 5 stars in amazon.com reviews.

JALPak

Inamori doesn't want him as the new COO and now have to find a new candidate.

http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstS...storyid=480782

JALPak

He's already bringing in business BEFORE he take over the CEO job on Feb 1

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/18a0ce88-0...44feabdc0.html

JALPak

New COO/President announced

Masaru Onishi will be the next COO

http://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/201001/001439.html

Q Shoe Guy

Where is the "new" blood?

JALPak

The soon to be 78 new CEO

While new blood is need, you still need some veterans who knows a thing or two about the daily operation to run the company

Q Shoe Guy

Looking at it from a different angle it is those same people(veterans) who got them where they are today....

JALPak

At least the new COO wasn't one of the board members and he was only recently promoted to head JAC (June 2009). So I assume he's not as responsible as other veterans

Unimatrix One

So does anyone know if the new CEO still plans to work only part time?

I wonder how Continental would have fared if Gordon Bethune had decided to work only half time.