Asahi Glass puts 3,400 workers in Japan, abroad on temporary leave

Major flat-glass maker Asahi Glass Co said Friday it has put around 3,400 employees at home and abroad on temporary leave due to falling demand for its products amid the deepening recession. In addition, the company will put another 700 regular employees in Japan on temporary leave in the period through March, giving them up to 19 days off, Asahi Glass said.

In the face of tougher business conditions, all executive officers, including Chairman Masahiro Kadomatsu and President Kazuhiko Ishimura, will voluntarily return 10% of their monthly pay for the first six months of this year, the company said.