japan Archives

Japan releases ISSB-based reporting standards

The Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) has issued a proposal of its Sustainability Disclosure Standards to be applied in Japan, aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).

Japan investors flex muscles in 2021 proxy season

Investors in Japanese listed companies pushed boards on director independence, diversity, and climate change in this year’s proxy voting season, according to a new review.

Covid-19 triggers fall in Japanese sustainable assets

The use of ESG integration strategies have increased by 15.4% year on year in Japan, despite a decrease in the country’s sustainable investment balance, a Japan Sustainable Investment Forum (SIF) White Paper has found.

Toshiba chairman ousted over governance scandal

Japanese electronics giant Toshiba’s chairman has been ousted from his role by shareholders at the company’s AGM held on 25 June.

Clear climate message issued to Japanese lender

23% of shareholders backed a resolution to align MUFG with the Paris Climate Agreement July 2, 2021 Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) shareholders have defeated a proposal to better align the business with global climate change targets, but the 23% of shareholders who voted in favour of the resolution have sent a “stark climate warning” […]

Japan’s regulator urged to toughen ESG rules

Japan’s regulator urged to toughen ESG rules June 25, 2021 Japan’s financial watchdog, the Financial Services Agency (FSA), should introduce a new code of conduct for ESG data providers and build a platform to monitor ESG-related bonds, according to an expert report commissioned by the regulator. The recommendations were made in a report from the […]

Pandemic drives ESG uptake in corporate Japan

Japan’s listed companies are increasing their focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a survey by the country’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF).

Toshiba: Auditors sign off accounts so Japanese company avoids delisting

Japanese company, Toshiba, which has been restructuring after admitting accounting failures in 2015 has published its annual report for 2016 after receiving a qualified opinion from its auditor, PWC Arata, which meant the firm avoided being delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Toshiba stated that the auditor gave its qualified opinion because it said it […]

Japan – governance code compliance strengthens

Compliance with the Japanese corporate governance code of 2015 shows strong compliance according to research published by the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). The Code contains five general principles, 30 principles, and 38 supplementary principles and like the UK code a “comply or explain”approach has been adopted in respect of how companies comply. Analysis of compliance against the […]

Guidance on stewardship code in Japan published

Guidance on Stewardship Code for institutional investors in Japan to perform their duties effectively has been published by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and the Generation Foundation as part of its series on Fiduciary Duty in the 21st century. The Japan Roadmap outlines recent developments led by the government […]