Reporting in The Japan Times, it appears that Mitsui & Co. is being hauled in front of court to answer allegations of racial bias in NYC. Andrew Van Etten, a former senior director at Mitsui USA, claims widespread discrimination.
Gee, I wonder how long it took Van Etten to come to that conclusion. One year? Three years? Five years?
Japanese companies often look to 'one of their own' when appointing senior executives. I am quite sure such is the same with many other companies around the world. If we take a look at French, German, Russian, etc., I am quite sure we would find that the company and its BoD favour the same country nationals in positions of higher authority. Take a look at China and you can understand how the corporate board rooms and executive corner offices work.
I wish Van Etten all the best in his lawsuit and hope the world can truly change. But, as a Canadian working in Japan, I am not holding my breath. And I am completely fine with how life works here in Japan. If I don't like it, I can always return to the Canadian Prairies.
And a final word of advice for any foreigner working in Japan: Watch your Expenses.
Be very careful in this current economic and business climate on what you 'think or believe' you can charge to the company. Times of slipping in 'those certain entertainment expenses' or 'special consulting charges' or '3rd-party reseach reports' are long behind us.
I pay for my own research subscriptions and reports. If you have to ask your boss to sign off on an expense item, don't ask.
And Andrew, I really mean it: I wish you all the best in your lawsuit. Next time you see S & H, say 'hi' to them for me.
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