Photo/Illutration The head office of Airport Facilities Co. is located in the building at the lower left. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The first time I held a “meishi” business card with my name on it was after I took an express train ride to a local bureau of The Asahi Shimbun, my place of assignment as a rookie reporter.

Although my overall memory is a bit sketchy, I can at least clearly recall the words of my superior: “Don’t let this business card inflate your ego.”

What he meant, in essence, was that most people would meet me if I went calling on them with this business card. But that wouldn’t be out of respect for me as a person, but for my profession as a reporter.

In short, my superior cautioned me against wearing the mantle of authority and misusing it. And that is a piece of advice every professional should take to heart.

But how about the former transport ministry bureaucrats embroiled in a recent scandal?

Masaru Honda, a former administrative vice minister of the ministry, visited the office of Airport Facilities Co., a private enterprise, and demanded that its vice president, Katsuhiro Yamaguchi, also a former transport ministry bureaucrat, be named as the next president.

Airport Facilities manages airport buildings and other facilities related to the aviation industry.

When Honda visited the company, he reportedly introduced himself as a “representative of powerful former officials of the transport ministry.”

That was so tacky, it makes me cringe. But even slimier was Honda’s implying that he himself would never be so crass as to tell anyone to treat a former ministry official with respect, but that anyone should understand what he was driving at.

The sort of silent pressure was meant to work because of his “outstanding title and background.”

And Yamaguchi, who resigned as executive vice president after the scandal came to light, was basically of the same stripe as Honda.

I understand that Yamaguchi himself made no bones about seeking the presidency, saying, “This is what people behind me are thinking.” His arrogance was pathological.

In his book titled “Shakaijin Kokoroe Nyumon” (Introductory guidelines to becoming a member of society), author Hitomi Yamaguchi (1926-1995) offered advice to young people entering the workforce for the first time, borrowing words from a film director.

Citing the example of making a fool of oneself at a bar, he said, “It’s all right for humans to misbehave a bit, but they must be of upright moral character.”

Not only rookie workers, but I can think of numerous adults who need to hear that.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 7

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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