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Makiko Yamazaki
The world's largest pension fund lost 0.31% for the three months from July to September, trimming its overall assets to ¥219.3 trillion.
BUSINESS / Markets
Nov 2, 2023
Japan's GPIF reports ¥683 billion loss in July-September period
The news comes as a policy tweak by the central bank hits the government bond market.
Cosmo Energy Holdings has said it will call another shareholder vote in December to seek approval for a "poison pill" takeover defense against a group of activist investors.
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 25, 2023
Cosmo calls another shareholder vote in activist defense
Japan's third-biggest oil refiner said it will not prevent the group a group of activist investors from voting this time.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks at the Economic Club of New York, a group of top business executives and bankers, in New York on Thursday.
BUSINESS
Sep 22, 2023
Kishida seeks to shake up to $5 trillion asset management industry
The Japanese government is reviving its decades-old policy pledge to move ¥2 quadrillion of household financial assets into investment.
More companies are using employee share incentives as a tool to retain talent and comply with a request by the regulator to pay more attention to share price performance.
BUSINESS
Sep 20, 2023
Japanese companies warm up to employee stock incentives
More companies are using employee share incentives as a tool to retain talent.
According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo Stock Exchange, 20% of the 1,235 prime-listed companies have come up with specific measures.
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 31, 2023
Most Japan firms yet to disclose plans for better capital efficiency
The TSE made a rare call in March for firms to disclose plans in the long run to improve capital efficiency, but nearly 70% have yet to do so.
Kenya Koshimizu, senior executive at Mizuho Financial Group, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on Monday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Aug 22, 2023
Mizuho deferring JGB purchases as BOJ mulls policy exit: official
Banks face a looming inflection point as Japan's economy approaches policy normalization after years of little growth, weak spending and massive easing.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 26, 2023
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy Indonesian auto loan firm Mandala for $467 million
Japanese companies are expanding their footprint in Southeast Asia, hoping to capture an emerging middle class in a region with around 690 million people.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2023
Cosmo Energy wins investor approval for 'poison pill' against activist
The approval marks the second such vote on a poison pill in Japan that excludes an investor, in a practice some governance experts say could deter shareholder activism.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2023
Nearly 70% of Japan firms expect more activist proposals, poll shows
More than 340 shareholder resolutions have been submitted to about 90 listed companies for voting at annual shareholders meetings in June, when most Japanese firms hold such meetings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 19, 2023
Japan's financial regulator sounds out top banks about China risks
The Financial Services Agency has asked whether they have plans in place if Sino-Western tensions escalate.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 28, 2023
Proxy adviser ISS backs Toyota shareholder proposal on climate disclosure
A proxy adviser has recommended that shareholders of Toyota vote in favor of a resolution urging the automaker to improve disclosure of its lobbying related to climate change.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 25, 2023
Cosmo CEO says controversial vote tactics justified in activist defense
A vote on a 'poison pill' takeover defense will exclude Cosmo's largest shareholder grouping.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
May 1, 2023
Japan activist group hails stock exchange reform as remedy for undervalued stocks
Investors say the move is a testament to the fact that firms can no longer brush aside stock underperformance and must end the practice of asset-hoarding.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 10, 2023
Japan's three mega-banks to face votes on climate change
Climate groups are targeting mega-banks Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group over financing linked to fossil fuels.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 4, 2023
Family office of Nintendo heirs says patience is a superpower
The investment firm is willing to play a long game when it comes to portfolio companies and can wait more than a decade to see a turnaround, a top executive said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 24, 2023
Fujitec shareholders oust three directors in major activist win
The victory is a departure for Japan, where activists have had little success to date in convincing shareholders to back proposals to fire incumbents.
BUSINESS
Feb 22, 2023
Going down: Battle at Japanese elevator maker Fujitec reaches final level
The firm's top shareholder with a 17% stake, Oasis Management, aims to replace all five outside directors of an eight-strong board with its own candidates.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 9, 2023
JIP-led group has secured loans worth ¥1.4 trillion for Toshiba buyout, sources say
Toshiba named the consortium as its preferred bidder last October, but the group was unable to meet a requirement to provide commitment letters from banks by Nov. 7.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 5, 2023
Japan's SMFG to extend Jefferies alliance beyond U.S., CEO says
'We will cooperate anywhere we can,' leveraging Jefferies' investment banking expertise and SMFG's huge balance sheet, Jun Ohta said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 4, 2022
Fuji Soft proxy fight the latest test of Japan Inc. board independence
Governance experts say outside directors are only nominally independent if they have close ties to management or fail to give proper oversight.

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