As detailed on the bank’s website, 23 employees, including President Miura, have signed a document sealed with their blood, pledging to abstain from any financial misconduct. The pledge goes further by stipulating that those found guilty of embezzlement or fraud must “commit suicide” as part of their accountability.
The extraordinary policy, rooted in the code of honour of Japan’s samurai era, has drawn global attention. A screenshot from the bank’s website recently went viral on X (formerly Twitter), sparking reactions ranging from admiration to disbelief.
A legacy of honour
The origins of this pledge trace back to the Thirty-seventh National Bank, Shikoku Bank’s predecessor, where employees were required to sign and stamp such oaths in blood. The bank views the practice as a symbol of ethical conduct and societal responsibility, preserving it as a cherished legacy.
“Anyone employed by this bank who has stolen money or caused others to steal from the bank will pay for it with his or her property and then commit suicide,” reads the pledge, as outlined on the bank’s website.
Shikoku Bank insists that this policy, while extreme, represents an enduring commitment to ethical behaviour. The bank highlights the pledge’s cultural roots, noting its connection to seppuku, a ritual suicide historically performed by samurai warriors to preserve honour after failure or disgrace.
The internet reacts
Reactions to the pledge have been polarising. Some social media users lauded the policy as a testament to integrity in a world riddled with financial scandals. “How delightfully medieval. The world needs more of this attitude,” wrote one user. Others were more critical, branding the practice as “outdated” and “extreme.”
Comparisons were also drawn between Shikoku Bank’s rigid stance and the leniency seen in financial misconduct cases elsewhere, particularly in the United States. One user quipped, “Now it’s clear why they have so much cash on their balance sheets.”
Ethics or excess?
The pledge raises broader questions about the ethics of imposing such severe expectations on employees in a modern workplace. Critics argue that while the policy underscores a commitment to integrity, it risks perpetuating an unhealthy work culture that prioritises tradition over employee well-being.
Nonetheless, the pledge remains a striking symbol of Japan’s unique blend of historical traditions and contemporary challenges.
For Shikoku Bank, it is less about enforcing suicide and more about fostering an uncompromising ethos of trust and accountability—albeit one that the world views with a mix of shock and fascination.
As the debate rages on, Shikoku Bank’s blood oath continues to serve as a stark reminder of the lengths some organisations will go to uphold ethical standards. Whether it is a relic of the past or a vision for the future, one thing is certain—it has captured the world’s attention.
