On December 2nd 2012, concrete ceiling panels stretching for about 138 meters inside the Tokyo-bound Sasago Tunnel suddenly collapsed, crushing three vehicles and causing nine deaths and two serious injuries. The deadliest accident in Japanese highway history was caused by the gross neglect of safety standards by the Central Nippon Expressway Company Ltd. (C-Nexco). It failed to conduct thorough safety inspections of the Sasago Tunnel for 12 years and overlooked the loosening ceiling panels. C-Nexco also repeatedly refused to admit its fault and liability for the victims and their families despite its motto for“ Safety, Security and Comfort” and“ Customers first”. A series of these C-Nexco’s misconduct raised serious public doubts about its standards of ethics and social responsibilities. This article examines the actions of C-Nexco regarding this accident and discusses the social responsibilities of companies beyond their legal obligations with a view to re-emphasising the importance of a corporate culture willing to adapt to corporate social responsibility.
