- June 21, 2026
In Japan, An Employee Failed Alcohol Test, The CEO Took A 30% Pay Cut
Last Updated:
Japan Airlines CEO Mitsuko Tottori takes temporary pay cut after cabin crew alcohol rule breach delays flight, senior executives and involved staff also face penalties
Japan Airlines CEO Loses 30% Pay After Crew Members Violate Company Polic
The chief executive officer of Japan Airlines (JAL) will take a temporary pay cut after an alcohol-related incident involving cabin crew members triggered disciplinary action across the airline’s leadership team.
According to a Business Insider report, JAL CEO Mitsuko Tottori will receive a 30 percent reduction in monthly pay for two months after the airline classified the incident as an “extremely serious management failure.”
The airline has also imposed salary cuts on several senior executives, even though they were not directly involved in the incident.
What Triggered The Action?
As per Business Insider, the controversy stems from two cabin crew members who were found to have violated the airline’s alcohol consumption rules before operating a flight.
Reports cited by the publication said the crew members consumed alcohol beyond limits permitted under company policy during a layover. Japan Airlines requires flight attendants to stop drinking a specified number of hours before reporting for duty.
The matter came to light on May 23 when a flight attendant scheduled to operate Flight JL252 from Hiroshima to Tokyo Haneda tested positive for alcohol during a routine pre-flight screening. The employee was immediately removed from duty, forcing the airline to arrange a replacement crew member and delaying the flight by around 40 minutes.
Senior Executives Also Face Pay Cuts
Business Insider reported that apart from the CEO, two executives responsible for safety and cabin operations will take a 20 percent pay cut for one month. Other directors and executive officers will see their compensation reduced by 10 percent for a month.
The airline also took action against the employees involved. One cabin crew member was dismissed, while another was suspended following an internal investigation.
Why Is The CEO Being Penalised?
According to Business Insider, holding top executives accountable for operational failures is not uncommon in Japan. The country’s corporate culture places strong emphasis on management responsibility, even when misconduct occurs at lower levels of an organisation.
Curtis Milhaupt, a professor at Stanford Law School specialising in Japan’s legal system, told Business Insider that in some situations, senior executives may even be expected to resign following significant compliance failures.
The latest episode highlights the strict approach adopted by Japanese companies toward accountability, where leadership often shares responsibility for failures occurring anywhere within the organisation.
About the Author
A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, w…Read More
Read More
