Hasumi Kurea titties as Japan Airlines CEO takes 30% Pay Cut over Pilot Boozing Scandal… Again!

Hasumi Kurea simply couldn’t understand why Japanese pilots just couldn’t resist booze… perhaps too much JAV?

Japan Airlines Punishing 37 Executives Amid Pilot Alcohol Scandal

TL;DR: Japan Airlines CEO Mitsuko Tottori will take a 30% pay cut for two months, and other executives will also face pay reductions, following a recent incident involving a pilot who drank too much before a flight. This is the second time this year that executives are being punished for pilot misconduct related to alcohol. Despite strict alcohol policies, Japan Airlines has faced multiple incidents of pilots violating these rules.

JAL to punish president and 36 others over pilot drinking scandal

Japan Airlines Managing Executive Officer Yukio Nakagawa apologizes after one of the airline’s pilots was found to have been drinking alcohol, during a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 4.

Japan Airlines said Wednesday that it has decided to cut the remuneration of President Mitsuko Tottori and 36 other executives over a scandal involving a captain who drank excessively in Hawaii prior to his duties.
JAL dismissed the 64-year-old captain on Sept. 11 as a disciplinary measure, the airline said.

President Mitsuko Tottori’s monthly salary will be cut by 30% for two months. Managing Executive Officer Yukio Nakagawa, who also serves as chief safety officer, and Masaki Minami, who is in charge of flight operations, will have their pay reduced by 20% for one month. The remaining 34 executive officials will see their pay slashed by 10% for one month.

According to JAL, the captain, who was assigned to pilot a flight to Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture from Honolulu, Hawaii, on Aug. 28, drank three bottles of 9.5% alcohol beer on the previous day. This resulted in delays of up to 18½ hours for three flights.

On Sept. 10, the transport ministry issued a stern warning to JAL for inadequate internal management and supervision regarding alcohol consumption. Administrative penalties against the former captain are also under consideration.

JAL punished Tottori and other executives also in the wake of drinking issues of two other JAL captains that came to light in December last year.

Details of the Incident

The captain scheduled to pilot JL793 consumed three bottles of 9.5% alcohol beer the evening before his duty.

On the day of departure, he reported sick, forcing Japan Airlines to reorganize crew assignments at short notice. This led to cascading delays across three flights, inconveniencing hundreds of passengers.

The incident marked the second alcohol-related violation involving JAL pilots within a year. Two other captains were involved in similar cases in December 2024, prompting growing concerns over the airline’s management and supervision systems.

Government Response

On September 10, Japan’s transport ministry summoned JAL’s chief safety officer and issued a stern warning, citing inadequate internal controls. This was the second official reprimand delivered to JAL in less than a year, underlining the seriousness of the violation.

The ministry also confirmed that administrative penalties against the dismissed captain are under consideration. Officials stressed that strict compliance with alcohol policies is non-negotiable in ensuring aviation safety, Japan Times reported.

JAL’s Public Apology and Reforms

In a press conference, JAL President Mitsuko Tottori publicly apologized for the incident and pledged tighter enforcement of pre-flight alcohol and health checks. She acknowledged the gravity of repeated violations and confirmed that new monitoring systems will be introduced to prevent recurrence.

The airline stated that it would review its supervisory framework, increase training programs, and implement stricter compliance checks for crew members.

The move signals JAL’s commitment to rebuilding passenger confidence and addressing concerns raised by regulators.