Olympus' U.S. unit to pay $646 mil for bribing hospitals, doctors

And what about the Hospitals, that accepted to be corrupted? I hope they will be punished as well.

“Olympus is committed to complying with all laws and regulations and to adhering to our own rigorous Code of Conduct.”

The bitterest pill to swallow: J Govt. must tighten governance domestically - with legislation that hurts - if Japan Inc. firms are to successfully compete globally.

Thumbs down? So I guess for some people is okay if the Hospitals won't pay any consequences. We live in a weird world. O.o

Thumbs down? So I guess for some people is okay if the Hospitals won't pay any consequences. We live in a weird world. O.o

Don't get too chuffed about the thumbs down. There are serial thumb-downers among us. You make a valid point though. It's unethical for a professional buyer to be swayed by bribes and kickbacks, just as much as it is for the seller to offer them. Particularly if the money for this equipment was provided by taxpayers.

Don't get too chuffed about the thumbs down. There are serial thumb-downers among us.

Yeah, I guess it's like you say, since what I said it's only common sense. No idea why any honest person should disagree.

It's unethical for a professional buyer to be swayed by bribes and kickbacks, just as much as it is for the seller to offer them. Particularly if the money for this equipment was provided by taxpayers.

Exactly.

"... our own rigorous Code of Conduct."

Time and time again their conduct has been found wanting. The lack of regulation in Japan has Japan Inc left wanting when operating abroad - too many kibishii laws that actually have some teeth, at least in terms of something that all companies understand, dollars.

This is typical of the The Justice Department, fining and sanctioning foreign companies for 'wrong-doings'.

Although we may never know the full details of the NSA's industrial spying, I'd like to see fines and sanctions on American companies who benefited from those shady dealings.

WikiLeaks basically just confirmed what we already knew; America is just as corrupt IF NOT MORE CORRUPT than any other country on the planet - the difference is, they can get away with it.

America is just as corrupt IF NOT MORE CORRUPT than any other country on the planet - the difference is, they can get away with it.

This is obvious to anyone, except to American nationalists. Not necessarily more corrupt, but as much as other Countries, of course.

Completely agree alex. Hospitals and doctors who accepted those trips, gifts etc should be held accountable for their actions.

What surprises me is that Olympus were caught. Why buy doctors free trips to Japan (I assume for holidays?) when they could have 'simply' flown them business class to the next major medical symposium in japan, europe etc?

And this is just equipment. Imagine the kickbacks for getting patients to buy bogus prescription drugs for phony illnesses.

And what about the Hospitals, that accepted to be corrupted? I hope they will be punished as well.

Exactly! It's just a drop in the well of the greedy, selfish medical industry in America.

That's what they do, goldorak. They are junkets masked as medical meetings.

The prescription drug companies must spend $ billions per year doing this.

tldr.

So... who gets the money?

Where does the fail end when it comes to Olympus?

Imagine the kickbacks for getting patients to buy bogus prescription drugs for phony illnesses.

Indeed, our local doctor (who I avoid) gives them out like candies, for some mysterious reason.

When Big Pharma/Medical Devices has such carte blanche to incentivise health professionals, expect a medical industry focused on symptom-alleviation (and its attendant, prolonged revenue streams) rather than cure.

Another day, another J Inc. scandal. Bribes, kickbacks, extortion - choose your flavour.

Another set up by greedy US lawyers.

Hasn't Olympus done something against laws before?

From health to education, you don't need to live long to see the true face of this world: $$ $$ and $$. They would create humans in capsules if they could, like that movie (Matrix) where the machines are only interested in the energy produced by the human bodies, being the human life irrelevant. Just a few days ago the manager of a small language school for adults where I teach once a week reprimanded me because I was teaching in a different and creative way resulting in the students getting good "too fast". (???) Money. That's all.

＠Alex80

Thumbs down? So I guess for some people is okay if the Hospitals won't pay any consequences. We live in a weird world. O.o

If it's any consolation, you're not the only one... I got a whole bunch of "thumbs down" because I (also) complained about bad medical services in Japan... I only cited one case (because it was relevant to the one in that particular article) but I have personally suffered (and still do) from bad treatment over here - on several occasions...

PS. I thumbed you up...

Another set up by greedy US lawyers

But Tina, Japan has similar laws on anti-competitive behaviour.

Why do we never hear of prosecutions here?

But Tina, Japan has similar laws on anti-competitive behaviour.

Anti-monopoly yes but anti-competitive? I don't think so. It is too vague. Everything can be anti-competitive behaviours with arbitrary US govt.

Now the Japanese companies have to increase the price to pay the fine. It is US govt to squeeze the money and the consumers to pay the high price.

Come to China and Japan and see the bribes for doctors to use western pharmaceutical products with cheap gifts like printing books for doctors , research grants for others .

Now the Japanese companies have to increase the price to pay the fine. It is US govt to squeeze the money and the consumers to pay the high price. so increase the price and Japans overseas competitors will get the business instead, thats competition. Japan Inc can increase prices in Japan because they know theyre protected by the J gov from outside competition, unfortunately for Japan Inc robust competition outside Japan wont allow them to do that.

Anti-monopoly yes but anti-competitive? I don't think so. It is too vague. Everything can be anti-competitive behaviours with arbitrary US govt.

Not arbitrary- at all. Japan has the exact same laws. I know numerous doctors here in Japan and NONE of them are supposed to take bribes. Furthermore, Japanese people are not allowed to accept gifts from suppliers. Its common sense. While the doctors are in the wrong for accepting bribes, Olympus most certainly bares responsibility. We already know Olympus is a less than scrupulous organization. Olympus scandal anyone?

Now the Japanese companies have to increase the price to pay the fine. It is US govt to squeeze the money and the consumers to pay the high price.

No. They'll find another supplier who has cheaper prices. THAT is what competition is for. Furthermore, Japan, not the US, pays higher prices. So, who is really being ripped off?

Wow not much love for the pharma industry on here, fair enough. Perso i have no problems with 'gifts' which have a medical purpose and in most countries i think its ok to offer a new stethoscope, medical book etc to a doctor. Same for devices or samples: we do give these to doctors so they can try them.

In this case olympus offered private gifts to docs, completely different story. Very naive thing to do if you ask me. In any case docs or hospitals accepting or soliciting our 'bribes' or sponsorship are imo equally responsible. But big pharma have always been the bad boys of the industry and it wont change.

If Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, IBM, and many other world dominating US companies were Japanese, they would have been charged also on trivial reasons.

If Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, IBM, and many other world dominating US companies were Japanese, they would have been charged also on trivial reasons.

Lolololol Who cares where they are fron? If they break the law, they gotta pay. If Japanese companies do not break the law they don't have to pay.

I know that hurts your Rightwing ears, but oh well.

after a certain point, it just becomes obvious that the entirely of Japan Inc was built on lies and deceit