Category: Governance

Many Japanese executives and commentatorssound a lot like the U.S. Business Roundtabledid(see below) on the topic of stakeholder capitalism vs. shareholder primacy. I personally think this has become a semi-religiousargument with no point, the real question being whether managers are really thinking about shareholders'long-term interestsor (conversely)whether they really analyzing and prioritizing all stakeholders from the point of view of sustainable profitability.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan（ACCJ) released a new Viewpoint,Implement a Corporate Governance Code to Encourage Listed Companies in Japan to Adopt Best Practices and Uniform Disclosure. In the Viewpoint the ACCJ praisesthe LDP for its initiative moving in this direction because it is necessary to encourage uniform disclosure about corporate governance practices at each company, something that is essential in order for the Stewardship Code to be effective.

In recent years, Pakistan has made major progress in improving its corporate governance ecosystem, especially in the area of director training and certification – which is now generally required for all directors of public companies pursuant to the Corporate Governance Code.

KARACHI: Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG) has joined hands with the UK’s Institute of Directors (IoD) to introduce the globally recognised Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction under the Royal Charter in Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, PICG President and CEO Fuad Hashimi said the qualification will provide Pakistan’s professionals with an opportunity to become part of a global network of trained directors in 34 countries.

Takashi Kotani, an advisor of corporate communications, pointed out another 2020 problem in Japan – Shortage of female directors in Japan – Unintended effect of Abe's Womenomics policies; firms will be scraping bottom of barrel.

http://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/40492

Amir N. Licht Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliyah – Radzyner School of Law; European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) (March 6, 2014 – European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) – Law Working Paper No. 247/2014) –

Audience Questions & Answers (at the ICGN Conference in Tokyo in March, 2014)
Q. People have often talked about a code of corporate governance for Japan, and I understand that the LDP has set up a committee to look into developing a single national code for Japan, which we fully support. What is your view on that development?

ICGN Conference, Tokyo, March 2014; Hosted by Tokyo Stock Exchange & Japan Exchange Group;Endorsed by Financial Services Agency, Ministry of Justice & Ministry of Economic Trade and Industry

‘Building a common language: a new era for company and shareholder dialogue’ (Download full Summary:http://bdti.mastertree.jp/f/1ywnb57c )

A new study sponsored by Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center has highlighted the prospect that global industrial civilisation could collapse in coming decades due to unsustainable resource exploitation and increasingly unequal wealth distribution.

The Editor of the Metropolitan Corporate Counselinterviews Steven R. Walker, General Counsel, Secretary, and Director of Board Advisory Services at the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).