The scandal surrounding Iinaba Foods, Japan's leading pet food manufacturer known for its well-loved cat treats ‘CIAO Churu,’ has prompted significant internal turmoil and employee dissatisfaction. Recent reports reveal the alarming trend of employees leaving the company, disillusioned with its leadership.
"変わらぬ会社の体質に絶望して去っていく社員が後を絶ちません (Employees despair over the unchanged corporate culture and continue to leave)," lamented one current employee, X, who spoke anonymously due to fear of repercussions.
Since the onset of new employee recruitment for 2024, reports of mass rejection have surfaced, bringing to light the alleged mismanagement of the company by President Atsuhiko Iinaba (70) and his wife, Chairwoman Yuko Iinaba (55). Accusations of the couple’s personal entrenchment within the company have become prominent, leading to employees questioning their accountability.
More recently, during a board meeting in spring 2024, tensions escalated when one officer was reported to have stated, "If the chairwoman doesn’t resign, we all will." Despite the gravity of this statement, President Atsuhiko did not acquiesce, leading to discontent among executives and subsequent resignations, including the departure of the company's notable number two executive by the end of September 2024.
Why has Atsuhiko failed to dismiss Yuko? Sources reveal he feels trapped, claiming, "俺は息子を人質に取られている。だから会長の解任はできない (I am being held hostage by my son. That’s why I can't dismiss the Chairwoman)," referring to their child, whom he is reportedly deeply fond of.
Sources close to the situation indicate familial strife often emerges between Atsuhiko and Yuko, with Yuko allegedly threatening to leverage their son as part of her power play whenever disagreements arise. Consequently, Atsuhiko has continuously avoided angering Yuko, pertaining not just to their domestic affairs but significantly influencing corporate decision-making as well.
Yuko's influence appears to be growing, as she recently became the chairwoman of the board for the subsidiary, Yaizu Suisan Kagaku Kogyo, inciting immediate chaos within the company. Complaints have surfaced from staff, stating she has demanded organizational changes, from altering the company logo to disclosing salary information of all employees, much to the confusion and frustration of the workforce.
Even amid her growing dominion, Yuko faces criticism, particularly concerning retaining her public image. Reports suggest she has approached lawyers with concerns about media portrayals, asking, "私の写真を消せないか (Can we remove my pictures)" when confronted with unflattering articles about her leadership.
On April 24, 2024, the publication of the article titled "Why is Iinaba Foods becoming hated across Japan?" on President Online, authored by Professor Hirohito Suzuki of Kobe Gakuin University, particularly incensed Yuko. Five months after its release, she reportedly ordered her staff to investigate why the article had not been retracted: "なんでこの記事を野放しにしているの。今から大学に電話して、記事をすぐに削除してもらえ (Why is this article still up? We're calling the university now to have it removed)."
This initiative resulted in representatives from Iinaba Foods directly contacting the university, asking to speak with Professor Suzuki who penned the article. Confusion ensued when university officials recounted, "He was not present, and our administrative staff were left bewildered about the purpose of the visit since there was no request to retract the article."
When queried about Iinaba Foods' overtures to the university, the company's official response seemed meandering: "We deemed it appropriate to apologize to Professor Suzuki about causing any distress.” This raises questions about whether the company intends to quell any criticism through outreach or aim for more assertive public relations.
Answers about Yuko's removal from her chair position remain elusive. "The discussion about her dismissal was never on the agenda," said one company representative, praising her as a reformer. “Most ordinary employees recognize her as the leader and know the company cannot fathom letting go of her vision.”
These developments at Iinaba Foods not only highlight the potential dysfunction within its leadership but also reveal the deepening dissatisfaction among its employees and their willingness to voice concerns. With the increasing exodus of talent and public image under fire, the future direction of Iinaba Foods appears uncertain.