Sacked Olympus chief: It is unsafe for me to go to Japan
THE EX-CHIEF of Japan’s Olympus said yesterday he wanted to meet investigators appointed to probe the scandal engulfing the firm, but said it would be unsafe for him to travel to Japan.
Michael Woodford, whose sacking and revelations about irregular deals and payments exposed the scandal, said he would meet the company-appointed panel of investigators in London, New York or Singapore.
He did not explain his concerns but the scandal has raised fears – denied by Olympus – that the deals could be linked to Japanese organised crime group the Yakuza.
Olympus has been under intense pressure to explain deals that have rattled confidence in the 92-year-old company and wiped out half its market value.
The company has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.