When Leadership Means Sacrifice .Haruka Nishimatsu, the former CEO of Japan Airlines, became a global symbol of humility when he cut his own salary to under $90,000—less than some of his pilots earned—to help his struggling airline survive.
During Japan Airlines’ financial crisis, Nishimatsu gave up his office, ditched the corporate perks, and took public transport to work. Instead of hiding behind boardroom walls, he worked alongside employees in a modest space, believing true leadership means sharing in the sacrifices.
Even though JAL ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2010, Nishimatsu’s actions stood as a powerful reminder that ethical leadership is not about titles—it’s about people.
