Tokuji Wakasa, the powerful and controversial 82-year-old honorary chairman of All Nippon Airways, will resign as a board member next month in an apparent move to take responsibility for a recent feud that shook the firm's top management.
"Our honorary chairman expressed his intention to resign from the board at the end of this term," Yuzuru Masumoto, Senior Vice President of ANA said May 22 at a hastily arranged press conference. Masumoto declined to comment on Wakasa's role after the resignation, including whether he will keep the title of honorary chairman. He also refused to clarify the reason behind Wakasa's resignation.
Transport Minister Makoto Koga welcomed the decision after being informed by Takaya Sugiura, 71, ANA's chairman. "I respect the decision of the honorary chairman," Koga said. "I believe that he considered the current circumstances, inside and outside the company, and reached the decision."