Nissan Motor Co. President Hiroto Saikawa held a companywide briefing session Monday to explain to the automaker's 140,000 employees the developments that led to Carlos Ghosn's dismissal from the chairman post.
According to sources, Saikawa offered an apology at the session, saying, "I apologize for causing unease among customers and employees."
The briefing, which targeted all of the automaker's employees, was held at the company's headquarters in Yokohama in light of Ghosn's Nov. 19 arrest on suspicion of violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law. Saikawa delivered the briefing, which was broadcast to other offices in Japan and abroad via the internet.
The president explained the details of the misconduct of Ghosn and Greg Kelly, who has been dismissed from the representative director post over the scandal. Saikawa stressed the company's plans to review its management, which concentrated power in the hands of Ghosn.
Saikawa also suggested that the company would continue its alliance with French automaker Renault SA. He was quoted by a source as saying, "My job is to help [employees] grapple with work with a positive mentality."
There also was a segment in which Saikawa answered questions from employees.
"The president is self-possessed usually, but this time he spoke out in a way that appealed to our emotions. I took his remarks seriously," a male employee who watched the web broadcast said.
Saikawa spoke to reporters ahead of the briefing session, saying: "We had a hard time finding an opportunity to speak to our employees. We need to help them return to normal."
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