Nissan CEO Saikawa admits receiving improper payment
Japanese media report that the chief executive has apologised, but says he thought ‘proper procedures’ were followed.
Nissan Motor Co Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa admitted to improperly receiving stock-related compensation, Jiji news agency reported, in the latest case of financial misconduct among executives at Japan‘s second-largest automaker.
The admission raises more questions about Saikawa’s ability to steer Nissan through a financial crisis in the wake of the arrest last year of former Chairman Carlos Ghosn, as mounting costs and sluggish sales sap profit.
“I am deeply sorry for causing concern,” Saikawa said, according to Jiji.
In other comments reported by Kyodo News, Saikawa denied any role in the execution of the rights scheme which resulted in the wrongful payment.
“I thought that proper procedures were being taken,” he said, adding he had mistakenly believed his secretariat had dealt with it properly.
Saikawa told reporters he planned to return the payment. Sources told the Reuters news agency that an internal company inquiry found he had received tens of millions of yen more than he should have through a stock appreciation rights (SAR) scheme.
Nissan declined to comment on the reports of Saikawa’s misconduct or his comments to reporters.
The company’s investigation came after former Nissan director Greg Kelly went public with the allegations earlier this year. Saikawa is expected to share the results of the inquiry at a board meeting to be held soon, the Asahi newspaper said.
In an interview with magazine Bungei Shunju published in June, Kelly said Saikawa was granted an exception in 2013 to reschedule a stock-linked bonus that bumped up the payout by 47 million yen ($445,962).
Confidence in Saikawa has already been shaken by accusations he was too close to overthrown boss Ghosn, who, like Kelly, is awaiting trial on charges of financial misconduct. Both men have denied wrongdoing.
Saikawa blamed what he called “the Ghosn system” at Nissan for the payments, and said the system was being reviewed.
The chief executive is under intense pressure to deliver on plans to axe roughly 10 percent of Nissan’s workforce, cut production and close some of Nissan’s plants around the world in its biggest restructuring in a decade.
The compensation issue also could exacerbate tensions with top shareholder Renault SA, after a failed attempt by the French automaker to secure a full merger with Nissan and to combine Renault with Fiat Chrysler (FCA). Saikawa opposed the deal.
Saikawa was re-appointed by shareholders with the lowest approval rating among the 11 directors in June, promising improved governance and a better standing for Nissan in its relationship with Renault.