Hidenori Furuta, chair of Japanese IT services firm Fujitsu, has resigned following allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a woman, the company announced in a stock market filing on Wednesday. The 67-year-old’s nomination for reappointment as a director at the upcoming shareholders’ meeting later this month has been withdrawn, the filing said, after the board became aware of the claims. Fujitsu confirmed there was “inappropriate conduct” related to a woman but did not provide further details. Furuta did not respond to requests for comment.

Furuta’s departure adds to a series of challenges for Fujitsu, which remains entangled in the aftermath of the flawed Horizon IT system supplied to the UK’s Post Office. The system’s failures led to the wrongful conviction of more than 900 sub-postmasters, many of whom have since had their convictions quashed, resulting in significant compensation payments by the Post Office.

Furuta has a lengthy career in the technology sector, including four years based in London and senior roles such as chief operating officer at Fujitsu. He also held leadership positions in industry groups including the Japan Electronics and Information Technologies Industries Association.

The case occurs amid heightened scrutiny of executive behaviour in corporate Japan, where a growing number of senior figures have stepped down due to allegations of misconduct toward women. One notable example is Shinji Aoyama, a top executive at Honda who recently resigned. These developments follow high-profile incidents such as the Fuji TV scandal, which surfaced in late 2024 and was widely regarded as a pivotal moment for Japan’s #MeToo movement. In that case, executives were criticised for their handling of sexual misconduct allegations involving a prominent entertainer, prompting apologies and activist investor pressure on the media company.

Fujitsu’s latest setback comes as the company accelerates its strategic transition from a traditional IT outsourcing provider toward becoming an AI-driven consultancy. It aims to compete with global firms like Accenture and is expected to play a significant role in initiatives endorsed by Japanese Prime Minister Sana Taka- (name cut off in the source). The resignation of Furuta highlights the ongoing challenges Fujitsu faces in maintaining corporate governance and reputational stability during this transformation.