The tug of war between Hanshin Electric Railway Co. and its largest shareholder, the Murakami fund, is expected to heat up this week over the selection of Hanshin board members, with a Murakami candidate for the board demanding an explanation from Hanshin for its objection to his candidacy.
Eiji Tamai, who has been an outside board member of the Osaka-based railway since 1998, told reporters late Sunday he wants to meet with Hanshin President Kyoji Nishikawa soon to hear directly from him the reason for the objection.
Tamai added that he will resign as an outside board member if he is definitely unwelcome.