HereWeGo
June 16, 2026 • 2 min read
The CEO of Japan Airlines has reduced her salary by 30% due to staff drinking incidents, raising questions about the enforcement of regulations.
CEO Faces Repeated Consequences
How many times have Japan Airlines employees faced penalties for violating regulations? This time, CEO Mitsuko Tottori imposed a 30% salary cut for two months as a consequence of several staff members drinking excessively before flights.
In a recent incident, two flight attendants on a domestic Japan Airlines flight failed to adhere to the rule prohibiting alcohol consumption within 12 hours before a flight. One attendant called in sick, while the other attempted to make it to the airport but failed a breathalyzer test, resulting in a flight delay.
Lessons from Similar Issues
Japan Airlines has faced similar problems in the past, where the CEO reduced salaries to take responsibility for the drinking behavior of pilots. This raises the question: If penalties do not lead to positive changes in behavior, is this the right approach?
According to regulations, all flight attendants must undergo alcohol testing. However, Japan's strict social culture sometimes leads some employees to indulge during their downtime.
Drinking Habits and Cultural Norms
Drinking is an integral part of Japanese culture, both in professional settings and social interactions. Despite strict rules regarding alcohol consumption, unwanted situations still arise. Notably, even with Japan Airlines' firm policies, these incidents persist.
✈️ Tìm chuyến bay giá tốt
Đặt vé ngay với giá ưu đãi từ các hãng hàng không
This may reflect a management difference between Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA), which seemingly does not face the same issues. What makes Japan Airlines struggle with compliance while ANA does not?
Helpful Information for Vietnamese Travelers
If you're planning to fly with Japan Airlines, it's essential to understand the alcohol regulations and other flight-related requirements. This is crucial to ensure you don't encounter any issues during your travels.
Vietnamese travelers do not need a visa for stays in Japan of less than 15 days, but it's important to check the exchange rate for yen and budget for expenses such as meals and transportation. An average meal in Japan can cost around 500,000 VND.
Conclusion
While Japan Airlines is making an effort to take responsibility with salary reductions, will it be enough to change employee behavior? The answer may not be straightforward, and additional measures might be necessary to improve the situation.
It is essential for both the airline and its employees to maintain a commitment to safety regulations, especially concerning alcohol consumption. Japan Airlines' experience could serve as a lesson for many other organizations in the aviation industry.
Article adapted and referenced from: One Mile at a Time
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