厳粛な空気が漂う会議室で、社長の大畑が重い口を開きました。「今期の業績悪化は、急激な円高と原材料費の高騰が相まって、かつてない規模の赤字を計上するに至りました。我々は抜本的な構造改革を余儀なくされています。」
In a conference room where a solemn atmosphere hung, President Ohata began to speak with a heavy tone. "The worsening of our business performance this term, combined with the sharp appreciation of the yen and soaring raw material costs, has resulted in us recording a deficit of an unprecedented scale. We are being forced to undertake fundamental structural reforms."
財務担当の西川取締役が、手元の資料に目を落しながら続けます。「誠に遺憾の極みではございますが、海外の不採算部門からの撤退を視野に入れざるを得ません。このまま放置すれば、最悪の事態を招きかねない状況です。」
Director Nishikawa, who is in charge of finance, continued while looking down at the documents in hand. "It is extremely regrettable, but we must consider withdrawing from unprofitable overseas divisions. If left as is, the situation could lead to the worst-case scenario."
すると、営業本部長の山崎が語気を荒げました。「撤退はあまりにも性急です。長年かけて築き上げた現地ネットワークを、一時の感情で手放すがごとき真似は到底容認できません。我々の営業力にかかれば、必ずや挽回できるはずです。」
Then, General Manager of Sales Yamazaki spoke up sharply. "Withdrawal is far too hasty. I simply cannot tolerate such a move as letting go of the local network we've spent many years building based on a momentary impulse. With our sales capabilities, we should certainly be able to make a recovery."
大畑社長は深くため息をつき、「山崎の言葉も一理あります。しかし、会社を守らんがための苦渋の決断を下すのも、経営陣たる我々の責任にほかなりません。明日の緊急持ち回り会議をもって、最終決定を下したいと思います。」と締めくくりました。
President Ohata let out a deep sigh and concluded, "There is some truth in what Yamazaki says. However, it is none other than our responsibility as the management team to make agonizing decisions for the sake of protecting the company. We will make a final decision at tomorrow's emergency circular meeting."
各役員は無言のまま席を立ちました。企業の存続という重いプレッシャーの中で、誰もが己の信じる正義と現実の厳しさとの間で引き裂かれんばかりの葛藤を抱えていました。
Each executive stood up in silence. Under the heavy pressure of the company's survival, everyone harbored a conflict that felt as though they were being torn between the justice they believed in and the harshness of reality.