BUSINESS

The Fall of a Japanese Business Titan

JapanWed Nov 12 2025

Once celebrated as a bold entrepreneur, Nidec Corp. founder faces scrutiny over accounting issues.

A Trio of Ambition

  • Shigenobu Nagamori, alongside Masayoshi Son (SoftBank) and Tadashi Yanai (Fast Retailing), was part of Japan's most ambitious entrepreneurial trio.
  • Known for setting high goals and criticizing traditional business practices.

Nidec's Rise and Fall

  • Global Leader in Motor Production: Supplies components for electronics, cars, and data centers.
  • Tough Work Environment: Employees report unrealistic targets and high pressure.
  • Accounting Issues: Suspected cases of improper accounting threaten the company's reputation.

The Cost of Ambition

  • Nagamori's leadership style, while effective, may have contributed to current issues.
  • A reminder that even the most successful entrepreneurs face challenges.

questions

    What role does corporate culture play in the potential accounting irregularities at Nidec?
    How might the high-pressure environment at Nidec influence employee behavior and decision-making?
    If Nidec's accounting scandal involves a lot of 'creative' numbers, will they start producing art instead of motors?

actions