Japanese tech giant Fujitsu finds itself under scrutiny as questions arise regarding its involvement in the Post Office scandal, where over 900 branch managers were wrongly convicted due to

faulty accounting software named Horizon, developed by Fujitsu.

A senior Fujitsu executive is set to be questioned by MPs, shedding light on how a Japanese company primarily known for laptops became entangled in one of the UK's most significant legal miscarriages of justice.

Surprisingly, the Horizon scandal remains largely unknown in Fujitsu's home market, with Japan's mainstream media only recently reporting on it. The current president, Takahito Tokita, has declined multiple interview requests, even when asked for written comments for the victims affected by the scandal.

Fujitsu's response to the situation states, "Fujitsu regards this matter with the utmost seriousness. Our UK subsidiary has been cooperating with the Inquiry and remains fully committed to supporting the process. Out of consideration for the ongoing investigation, Fujitsu will refrain from further comment for the time being."

To understand Fujitsu's role, one must trace back to its acquisition of British firm International Computers Limited (ICL), the developer of the Horizon software, in the 1990s. The relationship between ICL and Fujitsu dates back decades, aligning with the Japanese government's efforts to counter IBM's dominance in the 1970s.

Despite the Horizon scandal, Fujitsu's products continue to play a significant role in the UK government's IT infrastructure. The company has secured numerous contracts and extensions, drawing criticism from some MPs.

Fujitsu's involvement in problematic software dates back to the late 1990s with the Libra software, which cost nearly three times more than expected. Horizon, installed around the same time, had flaws known from its previous project.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk suggests that if Fujitsu is found culpable, it should repay the expenses incurred due to the Post Office scandal. However, given Fujitsu's deep integration into the government's IT systems, removing the company may pose challenges.

The article highlights that Fujitsu's software has faced controversies in Japan as well, with issues leading to the suspension of residence card systems and technical glitches causing trading suspensions on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Despite these challenges, Fujitsu remains a major player in both public and private sectors, reflecting its significant presence in the tech industry. Photo by 掬茶, Wikimedia commons.